Getting Hooked
Some readers might think me completely ridiculous when I tell them that Facebook groups on occasion lead me to write nature blogs about Vernon. In this instance, I was watching a local WCAX news piece on Mudpuppies* right before a post by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Facebook on the same exact topic, miraculously appeared on my homepage (funny how that happens). How could I resist taking a closer look? Well let me tell you, what I found was quite the dust up and Vernon Vermont is sort of knee deep in it.
There are plenty of corners in which to stand in when it comes to the value of eradicating invasive Sea Lamprey and whether or not the practice impacts Mudpuppies. There also seems to be an annual November conversation about it when the Lamoille River is treated with Lampricide. It's easy to get caught up in emotion of it all, as the pictures of Mudpuppies are so darn cute and those protesting on their behalf appear so passionate! I'm not getting involved with the Lampricide application debate here as I have even found what I see as discrepancies between VT F&W Lampricide impact statements** and their 11/05/2020 news interview on WCAX*. I only bring the Lampricide issue to your attention, because upon posting an online question about it to the VT F&W Facebook group, I was met with reader comments like, "...Do your research!" and "Have you ever tried eating mudpuppies?" I appreciate it when strangers challenge me (or rile me up) enough to do my homework for this is how I discovered Vernon's role in the Mudpuppy story.
What Is A Mudpuppy?
Mudpuppies are a completely aquatic salamander. They are Vermont's largest salamander averaging thirteen inches; but they can reach up to eighteen inches in length. They are easily identified by their red external gills that persist into adulthood. Adult Mudpuppies are brown with dark spots, They have flat heads, short legs with four toes each, and a laterally flattened tail. They mate starting at four to six years of age and can live up to 20 years old. Mating takes place in the fall, but the females do not lay their 18 to 180 eggs until spring. These salamanders are dubbed "puppy" because their vocalizations sound somewhat like a dog's bark.***
Though an opportunistic predator, the Mudpuppy primarily eats crayfish, snails, insect larvae, worms and small fish. According to Vermont Fish and Wildlife, "The Mudpuppy is a generalist, occupying myriad habitats throughout its range including lakes, rivers, small creeks, canals, irrigation ditches and reservoirs." They live in cold, warm, moving and still water. The bottom of the body of water can be graveled or muddy with the juveniles preferring pools with minimal silt. They are found in both water that is clear or clouded. It is thought that they have limited migrations into shallower water for the purpose of laying eggs. They require "flat rocks, slabs, logs or planks" to provide shelter from the sun and predators." The lower CT River is listed under the heading Habitat Types**
What Is Their Status?
Though they enjoy a global rank of G5, mudpuppies are classified as a state of Vermont natural heritage species; with a conservation assessment of "high priority" S2 (rare). The state trend is categorized as "declining". There have been two authenticated reports in Vernon between 1993 and 2017. They are confident of the presence of Mudpuppies in the Southern VT Piedmont** Biologists think however, that our Connecticut River Mudpuppies may have a slightly different genetic composition than the VT native northern mudpuppies. Our population of mudpuppies may have been introduced to our area from Ohio. Scientists have listed "Population Genetics" as being of medium importance in conservation.**
It seems odd that an animal considered to be a "generalist" would be rare in its native range; and as I mentioned above, the equation with regards to the contributing factors of their decline is still being researched. Habitat degradation, a preference for cooler water during rising temperatures, and botulism poisoning may be important factors and are being studied by IL researchers in the Great Lakes region. "Mudpuppies are also very sensitive to pollution. That characteristic could make them especially important to researchers."****
How Can Vernon Help?
Listed among the high priorities by Vermont researchers in the Fish and Wildlife Action Plan is to, "Develop survey techniques to effectively sample the Mudpuppy...monitor the size and determine the sustainability of existing populations..."** Reporting Mudpuppies is an aspect of conservation where Vernon residents have an opportunity to play a role. Mudpuppies are more active during the fall and winter months. For this reason they are sometimes hooked while ice fishing. Once discovered, residents should photograph their find and then release the Mudpuppy where it was discovered. Anyone finding a mudpuppy is being asked to report your find here.
Vernon's Long Tradition
Vernon is no stranger to hosting and protecting endangered plants and animals. In 2009, the Department of Fish and Wildlife acquired land near (redacted location per request of VT state herpetologist Luke Goff). The parcel, championed by resident Peggy O'Neil Farabaugh and unanimously approved by the then town select board, was procured by the state for the conservation of valuable habitat that supported a rare semi aquatic species. Once obtained by the state, this land expanded existing wildlife designated management areas by attaching it to the (redacted location per request of VT State Herpetologist Luke Groff). The establishment of this parcel for conservation purposes additionally benefited species such as, waterfowl, frogs, snakes, salamander and deer. (see addendum)Vernon has a proud heritage of conservation from the Black Gum Swamps at the Maynard J. Miller Town Forest, to Lily Pond, our Farmlands Conservation Committee, the Roaring Brook Wildlife Management Area including a state wetland preserve and the Newton Road F&W Fish Hatchery pond. Peggy O'Neil Faragbauh has also been working diligently to raise resident's awareness of the status of the Monarch Butterfly. With Vernon's long tradition in conservation, it seems like a natural step for residents to participate in identifying possible populations of Mudpuppies here in Vernon. We can as citizen scientists play an important role in conservation while leaving the Sea Lamprey and Ohio genetics debates to the Herpetologists -Norma Manning
Addendum:
This article was edited on November 22nd and again on November 27th per written request by VT State Herpetologist Luke Groff in an effort to comply with state laws protecting the exact locations of threatened and endangered wildlife. The information conveyed in my original article as previously written, was found as public information and was directly quoted from a public source. Though I did not specifically disclose anything more than was previously shared by multiple media outlets (including the department of Vermont Fish and Wildlife), understanding the importance of protecting threatened and endangered wildlife it is important that everyone is aware that specific locations of populations not be disclosed. I therefor included this addendum in an effort to raise awareness.
*Critics concerned VT lamprey poisoning harming salamander population, WCAX
***Necturus Maculosus, Animal Diversity Web
****Secretive Amphibian Can Provide Pollution Clues, Great Lakes Echo
Mudpuppy, Canadian Herpetological Society
Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas
Vermont's Reptile and Amphibian Species and Conservation Status
Report a Sighting (form)
Roaring Brook Wildlife Management Area
