mudpuppy

noun

mud·​pup·​py ˈməd-ˌpə-pē 

variants or less commonly mud puppy

: a large North American salamander (Necturus maculosus) that has external gills and is gray to rusty brown usually with bluish-black spots

Illustration of mudpuppy

Examples of mudpuppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Avoid touching the mudpuppy too much as their amphibian skin is sensitive and permeable. —Ridah Syed, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2022

Dams on the river have also flooded out at least two of the streams where the mudpuppy was once found. —Dennis Pillion | [e-mail], al, 25 Oct. 2019

The waterdog, also called the Alabama mudpuppy, is found only in a handful of tributaries to the Black Warrior River in Alabama, in the heart of the state’s coal country. —Dennis Pillion | [e-mail], al, 25 Oct. 2019

The mudpuppy is Michigan’s largest salamander, reaching lengths up to 15 inches. —Michigan Wildlife Council, Detroit Free Press, 10 July 2018

Some people have confused it with a mudpuppy, but those amphibians have four legs, not two. —Justin L. MacK, Indianapolis Star, 18 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mud puppy

noun

: a large North American salamander that has gills on the outside and is gray to rusty brown usually with bluish black spots