Description

This species of salamander can be found in flowing bodies of water with sand bottoms. They range in almost all of Mississippi. They are dark brown or tan with many dark spots that continue to the belly. They maintain all four limbs, but are highly specialized for aquatic environments with external gills and laterally compressed tails. GC water dogs can be 6-8 inches fully grown (Powell et al., 2016).

Identifying Traits

• Tan or brown body with spots throughout
• External gills
• Spots extent to belly (differentiates from N. maculosus)

Habitat

Sandy-bottom flowing water

Behavior

Generally utilizes natural structures like rocks and logs for shelter, highly aquatic and rarely leaves water bodies

Diet

Various invertebrates