Gulf Coast Waterdog

The Gulf Coast waterdog (Necturus beyeri) is a permanently aquatic salamander that is most commonly found in the streams of the Mobile Bay watershed. It retains its prominent larval gills into adulthood.

Close-up photograph of a Gulf Coast waterdog, showing the aquatic salamander’s mottled body, external feathery gills, and forelimbs
Photo by Suzanne L. Collins, Center for North American Herpetology
Close-up photograph of a Gulf Coast waterdog, showing the aquatic salamander’s mottled body, external feathery gills, and forelimbs