Neuse River Waterdog
Necturus lewisi
This aquatic salamander reaches 16-28 cm in total length. It has a large, wide, flattened head, stout body, scrawny legs, laterally compressed tail, and bushy dark red ex…
How to identify
This aquatic salamander reaches 16-28 cm in total length. It has a large, wide, flattened head, stout body, scrawny legs, laterally compressed tail, and bushy dark red external gills. Its body is brown with medium-sized black spots all over, and lateral black streaks on the sides of the face. It has tiny, laterally positioned eyes.
Range
Endemic to north central and coastal North Carolina; specifically the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins.
Habitat
This aquatic species prefers moving water with a flow rate >10 cm/s, a width >15 meters, a depth >1 meter, and hard clay or soil substrate at the bottom. It also prefers an abundance of rotting leaf litter, rocky crevices and overhangs, and abandoned burrows for hiding. It is only found in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico Rivers.
Variations
Juveniles have 1 dorsal and 2 lateral stripes in place of the spots.
Similar species
Most similar in appearance to the Gulf Coast waterdog (*Necturus beyeri*) and Red River mudpuppy (*Necturus louisianensis*). Also resembles the common mudpuppy (*Necturus maculosus*).
Name and etymology
Lewisi: Honoring Frank B. Lewis.
At a glance
Size
15.2 to 23 cm
Range
Endemic to north central and coastal North Carolina; specifically the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins.
Habitat
This aquatic species prefers moving water with a flow rate >10 cm/s, a width >15 meters, a depth >1 meter, and hard clay or s…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap