mud puppy

mud puppy
n.
any of a genus (Necturus, family Proteidae) of gilled, aquatic North American salamanders that hide during the day in mud along the bottom of freshwater streams or lakes

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      any of five species of entirely aquatic salamanders in a genus (Necturus) belonging to the family Proteidae (or Necturidae), in the order Caudata. Their popular name derives from the mistaken belief that they are able to bark. They are found in lakes, rivers, and swamps of eastern North America. Species inhabiting the southern United States are commonly called water dogs.

      Adults range from approximately 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 inches) in total length. The body is gray or brown and usually has a scattering of blurry blue-black spots. The external gills, retained throughout life, are bright red. The tail is flattened and exhibits dorsal and ventral fins; it is the major locomotor appendage. The legs are short and moderately robust.

      Mud puppies prefer clear, silt-free water and usually hide during the day under stones or debris. They eat small animals such as crayfish or mollusks and the eggs of other aquatic animals. Fertilization is internal, and the female lays eggs.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mud puppy — Mud Mud (m[u^]d), n. [Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. {Mother} a scum on liquors.] Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive. [1913 Webster] {Mud bass} (Zo[ o]l.), a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mud puppy — ☆ mud puppy n. any of a genus (Necturus, family Proteidae) of gilled, aquatic North American salamanders that hide during the day in mud along the bottom of freshwater streams or lakes …   English World dictionary

  • mud puppy — noun 1. aquatic North American salamander with red feathery external gills • Syn: ↑Necturus maculosus • Hypernyms: ↑salamander • Member Holonyms: ↑Necturus, ↑genus Necturus 2. large salamander of North American rivers and streams …   Useful english dictionary

  • mud puppy — /ˈmʌd pʌpi/ (say mud pupee) noun 1. any of the large North American aquatic salamanders of the genus Necturus, which have bushy red gills and well developed limbs. 2. any of various American salamanders of the genus Ambystoma …  

  • mud puppy — noun Date: 1882 a large North American salamander (Necturus maculosus) that has external gills and is gray to rusty brown usually with bluish black spots …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mud puppy — noun a large neotenous salamander of the eastern US. [Necturus maculosus.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • Mud — (m[u^]d), n. [Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. {Mother} a scum on liquors.] Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive. [1913 Webster] {Mud bass} (Zo[ o]l.), a fresh… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mud bass — Mud Mud (m[u^]d), n. [Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. {Mother} a scum on liquors.] Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive. [1913 Webster] {Mud bass} (Zo[ o]l.), a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mud bath — Mud Mud (m[u^]d), n. [Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. {Mother} a scum on liquors.] Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive. [1913 Webster] {Mud bass} (Zo[ o]l.), a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mud boat — Mud Mud (m[u^]d), n. [Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. {Mother} a scum on liquors.] Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive. [1913 Webster] {Mud bass} (Zo[ o]l.), a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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