Kingdom Animalia Order Caudata Genus Necturus Higher classification Necturus | Phylum Chordata Family Proteidae Scientific name Necturus punctatus Rank Species | |
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Similar Necturus, Salamander, Amphibians, Proteidae, Neuse River wat | ||
The dwarf waterdog (Necturus punctatus) is the smallest member of the family Proteidae, and is endemic to the United States.
Contents
Description
This species is usually between 4.5 and 7.5 in (11.4–18.9 cm) long, and has bushy, narrow gills and a compressed tail. All feet have four toes. The salamander is dark brown or slate-grey to black above, and has a grey belly with a bluish-white band along the midline. Unlike other members of the Proteidae family, it is without any black spots.
Habitat
Dwarf waterdogs live in slow-moving, muddy or sandy-bottomed streams and associated deep irrigation ditches.
Geographic range
N. punctatus is found on the coastal plain from southeastern Virginia to southcentral Georgia, and may extend westward along the Gulf Coastal plain.
References
Dwarf waterdog Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA