Mudpuppy in Allegany
During the kids fishing derby this weekend the DEC staff biologist were on site to hand-out educational information on fishing, etc. . . . they had also captured a few fish to placed into a fish tank for everyone to view up close! But, what was most amazing is that when they were capturing the minnows and fish . . . . they came across a mudpuppy along the waters edge. He stated that they witnessed this mudpuppy entangled with a little Water Snake. And it was the mudpuppy that had the upper end of the snake battle!! I call that “salamander power” and would have LOVED to see that battle!!
Although this individual was located in a fish tank . . . . I was still very excited to see this adult mudpuppy since this is my first time ever photographing one. Back when I use to do the pond-and-stream-safari here in Allegany State Park the kids would come back with their nets and say “what’s this”?? That’s when you start wondering if this gilled salamander is a young mudpuppy or another young species of salamander?? You just have to love salamanders!!
BTW: Most of you have not heard this for a while – Mudpuppy – CHECK!
For more info on these Mudpuppies go to wikipedia:
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
Very cool! I’ve not seen a mudpuppy yet…
20 August 2007 at 7:29 am
I love your enthusiasm Mon@rch.
20 August 2007 at 8:08 am
Fascinating! Love the video. b
20 August 2007 at 8:35 am
Love the mudpuppy! Check!
20 August 2007 at 9:00 am
Great video…..I love salamanders, but have certainly never seen one that big!
20 August 2007 at 9:41 am
I have seen salamanders out west but nothing with those feathery things on the side. Very interesting.
20 August 2007 at 10:06 am
I’ve never seen a mudpuppy but I absolutely love that name! And those fancy gills. Wow!
20 August 2007 at 12:38 pm
This is great Thanks for sharing it with us!
I realy enjoy your work!
20 August 2007 at 1:08 pm
Hey Mr. Tom. This is a general blog question, as I do not see a specific e-mail for you here.
a.) How do you put individual posts on pages besides home?
b. How do you put in pictures on pages besides home?
Thanks.
20 August 2007 at 3:09 pm
Whoa, Tom! This is soooo cool! How long and how big around is this guy (approximately)? I love his gills!
20 August 2007 at 3:55 pm
Well I just have to add another COOOOL! Tom. Yes, I guess you have to well. . . . .love ’em. But – well . . .he’s not very purty, but sure is fascinating.
20 August 2007 at 6:52 pm
@ Laura – they are the coolest salamanders for sure!
@ Barb – is their any other way?
@ Rebecca – thanks!
@ Mary – LOL – I just needed to do the check, it’s been a while! I think I have missed my last few checks with birds!
@ Threecollie – thanks and hope you get to see one some day!
@ erie Argonaut – they are ace right? You should have some along French Creek, how far away is that from you?
@ Liz – they are fancy for sure, thanks!
@ Craftermom – I sure love sharing! Thanks
@ scienceguy – You should have my email somewhere in your files! But you can find a way to email me via my bio! Ok, going to send you an email now!
@ Pam – thanks and how could I have not shot a video of this guy!
@ Cathy – one of those love hate things? I sure do love them!
20 August 2007 at 9:33 pm
Very cool Tom.
20 August 2007 at 9:40 pm
Awesome! I loved the video showing the gills moving.
~ Nick
21 August 2007 at 11:11 am
@ toni – thanks!
@ Nick – I liked the first clip with the mudpuppy looking directly at the camera! Thanks!
21 August 2007 at 12:28 pm
Great pics Tom – the gills make it look like something alien!
21 August 2007 at 1:42 pm
What a strange critter – I love it!
21 August 2007 at 7:08 pm
It was great to share tent space with the mudpuppy. We have caught a few small ones at aquatic walks, but none big enough to be sure they were mudpuppies. The spring salamander still has its larval gills when it is pretty big. The DEC guy said we should be able to find mudpuppies along the lake margin where there are big rocks in the water.
Thanks for the great video and photo.
21 August 2007 at 8:51 pm
A face only a mother could love, if you are a mudpuppy, just kidding very cool image. This is why I like coming here, you never know what you are going to see next, great work.
21 August 2007 at 10:09 pm
I never heard of a mudpuppy before.-Nice little video explaining what it is-thanks!
26 August 2007 at 2:27 pm