Mudpuppy Question-Seeking Breeders/Suppliers

bgannon · #1 11-02-2009, 03:53 PM

Hello everyone,

I am interning at a learning museum in Ohio and am responsible for procuring two different amphibians for our new exhibit about watersheds. So far, I have been able to get an American Bullfrog, but have had no luck with finding mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus).

Does anyone know of a breeder or supplier that currently has some to sell?
I have been checking Wards, Nasco, and Carolina Biological supply and have had no luck (Mudpuppies are seasonally available).

We have all supplies needed to care for them, and I have even met with an owner to make sure it would be the right fit for our tanks, we just need that mudpuppy. We could try to go out and catch one ourselves (laws permitting), but that is certainly a last resort.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Tom Highum · #2 11-02-2009, 05:04 PM

I believe they are sometimes sold as bait. It is illegal to capture them in Iowa

bgannon · #3 11-03-2009, 01:46 PM

Hopefully someone here has one.

bareass · #4 11-04-2009, 03:18 PM

chekc with your laws, if not check with michigan's laws
i'm from windsor which is across the river from detroit. i in the river pretty often.. there is a ton of them there!
but i thought they were aquatic only, i didn't think they where amphibian. don't they have gills?

bgannon · #5 11-04-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bareass

chekc with your laws, if not check with michigan's laws
i'm from windsor which is across the river from detroit. i in the river pretty often.. there is a ton of them there!
but i thought they were aquatic only, i didn't think they where amphibian. don't they have gills?

I have a copy of Ohio's laws. From what I've read, I am allowed to collect up to 4 mudpuppies without getting a permit. So at least that's on my side.

Mudpuppies are both amphibian and completely aquatic. They have both gills and lungs. Current research shows that they do not uses these lungs for respiration, however. They use their gills exclusively for respiration.

beckdg · #6 11-04-2009, 07:49 PM

i'd put a wtb (want to buy) add in various places... kingsnake.com is huge and you'd likely find something there. i can't vouch for anyone on there though. there's some good suggestions here too... good places to buy... please add to it!

bgannon · #7 11-09-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

i'd put a wtb (want to buy) add in various places... kingsnake.com is huge and you'd likely find something there. i can't vouch for anyone on there though. there's some good suggestions here too... good places to buy... please add to it!

Thanks, that looks like a great resource!

Hmm, is there a way that I don't have to pay to have a classified at kingsnake.com?

beckdg · #8 11-09-2009, 03:23 PM

many forums have free classifieds sections. with pet forums it's one way they try to help bring hobbiests together to help with the costs. another side benefit is that many of the members will be able to ship cheaper and possibly faster than most stores by utilizing usps instead of the overpriced, less reliable specialty carriers like ups, dhl, fedex, etc.. i compiled a short list in that link, but by all means search more out if you feel it necessary... and then post what you found to work well for you in that thread if it's something that can be added for others.

bgannon · #9 11-10-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

many forums have free classifieds sections. with pet forums it's one way they try to help bring hobbiests together to help with the costs. another side benefit is that many of the members will be able to ship cheaper and possibly faster than most stores by utilizing usps instead of the overpriced, less reliable specialty carriers like ups, dhl, fedex, etc.. i compiled a short list in that link, but by all means search more out if you feel it necessary... and then post what you found to work well for you in that thread if it's something that can be added for others.

Will do. The one big problem I've run into is most of these forums require me to post for awhile before allowing me to post in the classifieds section (which I think is pretty annoying). The problem is, I haven't felt like I could really add to most conversations, so I'm stuck either being tempted to just add nothing to conversations or doing nothing at all. I understand why there are rules like that, but I feel like it's a bit too restrictive.

beckdg · #10 11-10-2009, 04:40 PM

a lot of times it's only 10 posts. you could start a thread asking about mudpuppies and that should get you the 10 posts necessary. if you're slick about it you could even find out who has them that way.

a couple of the forums have those rules but aren't extremely strict about it as far as you don't take it too far.

i would introduce myself on each forum and state that i've been looking for them but can't acquire them locally. maybe ask to see some setups or diets that people use for them. little questions that show you're interested in correct care and like interests should pull out folks who would know a little better.

try aquariacentral....