Mudpuppy. That is the common name for a type of salamander found across parts of the United States including here in Indiana.

Indiana Considers Mudpuppies to Be of "Special Concern"

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says these carnivorous amphibians are considered to be of "special concern" regarding population conservation. Mudpuppies can grow as large as 16 inches in length and often feed on the likes of small fish, insect larvae, and crayfish.

Are Mudpuppies Poisonous?

Despite their voracious appetite for other aquatic wildlife, these slimy little creatures are neither venomous nor poisonous, meaning their slime and their bite are non-toxic. Found throughout the state of Indiana in bodies of water like lakes, rivers, and streams, spotting a mudpuppy is actually an indication that water quality is good.

Amphibian
Design Pics
loading...

Mudpuppy vs Hellbender - What's the Difference?

Unlike their salamander cousin, the Hellbender (an endangered species in Indiana that can grow to more than two feet in length), mudpuppies have external gills. They are also characterized by their "mask," or the stripe that runs from their gills, across their eyes, and up to their nose. Another defining quality of the mudpuppy is its pointed snout, as opposed to the Hellbender and its flat, rounded head.

Have You Seen a Mudpuppy in Indiana?

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is currently tracking mudpuppy sightings across the state and says that they are oftentimes caught by anglers or "seen in the shallow waters of lakes during late winter and spring."

Contact Indiana DNR If You Spot One

 

In the event that you reel one of these salamanders in, you are encouraged to cut your line and release the creature unharmed. If you have any photographs that you have taken of a mudpuppy you have encountered in Indiana, you are asked to contact the Department of Natural Resources Herpetologist by emailing HerpSurveys@dnr.IN.gov to share your photo and any information you have regarding the date and location that you found it.

[Source: Indiana DNR via Facebook; In.gov/DNR]

Beautiful Nature Photos from Shawnee National Forest Will Make You Want to Visit Southern Illinois

Take a virtual hike through the area between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers known as the Shawnee National Forest located in Southern Illinois with these stunning photos featuring Garden of the Gods, Tunnel Hill, Giant City Park, Cave in Rock, and more.

12 Illinois Waterfalls All Within a 2 Hour Drive of Evansville Indiana

Check out these incredible photos captured by Grant Twiss Outdoor Photography featuring 12 Southern Illinois waterfalls that will have you ready to pay a visit to Shawnee National Forest and the surrounding area.

Must See: Astrophotography Taken Over Southern Illinois Zinnia Field

See beautiful images of the night sky over a zinnia field located in Redelman Orchards located in Southern Illinois. The spectacular photos were captured by Illinois photographers Grant Twiss and John O'Connell.

LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world

From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom

More From WGBF-FM