[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”1027px” custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”7px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Wisconsin\u2019s only fully aquatic salamander, the mudpuppy, is at risk of decline across the state. New funding from the NRF’s Wisconsin Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Fund is supporting a state-wide effort to learn more about these slimy amphibians.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-5.png” alt=”DNR biologists search for mudpuppies in Wisconsin in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, as part of an effort to learn more about their distribution across the state.” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 (5)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||21px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n DNR biologists search for mudpuppies in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, as part of an effort to learn more about their distribution across the state. This project was made possible thanks to the first distribution from the Wisconsin Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Fund. Photo by Caitlin Williamson<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve spent time in Wisconsin\u2019s waters, you may have come close to encountering a unique amphibian: the mudpuppy. As the only fully aquatic salamander in Wisconsin<\/strong>, mudpuppies can be found in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes all year-round. They prefer to spend time underneath flat rocks and woody debris.<\/p>\n Due to their behavior, searching for mudpuppies is challenging.<\/p>\n Mudpuppies in Wisconsin have not been thoroughly studied, but scientists think their numbers may be declining. They are officially listed as a “species with information needs.\u201d<\/strong> Minnesota lists mudpuppies as a species of special concern, and Iowa and Illinois list the species as threatened.<\/p>\n The most likely time to see a mudpuppy this winter? While ice fishing. Mudpuppies can be a common bycatch during the winter ice-fishing season, and the DNR is asking the public to report<\/a> any observations of mudpuppies they may catch while fishing this winter.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/dnr.wisconsin.gov\/newsroom\/release\/65051#:~:text=Mudpuppies%20are%20Wisconsin’s%20only%20fully,be%20difficult%20and%20labor%2Dintensive.” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Report a Mudpuppy sighting” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Thanks to the first distribution from NRF\u2019s Wisconsin Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Fund, a team of biologists from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are working to learn more about mudpuppy distribution across the state.<\/p>\n Surveys currently underway across the state have already located mudpuppies in multiple new locations. This time of year, the work involves sloshing through cold winter waters in waders.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Rich Staffen” job_title=”DNR conservation biologist” portrait_url=”data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUwMCA1MDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+CiAgICA8ZyBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBmaWxsLXJ1bGU9ImV2ZW5vZGQiPgogICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGZpbGw9IiNFQkVCRUIiIGQ9Ik0wIDBoNTAwdjUwMEgweiIvPgogICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGZpbGwtb3BhY2l0eT0iLjEiIGZpbGw9IiMwMDAiIHg9IjY4IiB5PSIzMDUiIHdpZHRoPSIzNjQiIGhlaWdodD0iNTY4IiByeD0iMTgyIi8+CiAgICAgICAgPGNpcmNsZSBmaWxsLW9wYWNpdHk9Ii4xIiBmaWxsPSIjMDAwIiBjeD0iMjQ5IiBjeT0iMTcyIiByPSIxMDAiLz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+Cg==” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We have also been working to compile as much baseline mudpuppy data as we can get our hands on to document what we know about their distribution to compare to what we collect through this effort. We are scouring databases and doing press releases and social media outreach to have citizens submit records of mudpuppies they have encountered while ice fishing or through other means.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The goal: learn more about where mudpuppies used to<\/em> be found, and where they are now<\/em>. This project will also develop and test various protocols for mudpuppy surveys, which will lead to more effective monitoring in the long term.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-6.png” alt=”A researcher’s gloved hand holding a mudpuppy” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 (6)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||21px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A close-up of a mudpuppy being held in a researcher’s gloved hand. Photo by Heather Kaarakka, WDNR<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Wisconsin is home to 55 species of amphibians and reptiles, half of which are endangered or at-risk. These animals are critically important to the health and balance of our ecosystems, yet limited funding is available to support their conservation.<\/p>\n The Wisconsin Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Fund<\/a> was created by NRF in 2017 to show some love for our state\u2019s turtles, toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, and salamanders. The Fund provides ongoing support for conservation, education, research, and monitoring of Wisconsin\u2019s native and vulnerable amphibians and reptiles. After years of fundraising, the fund made its first distribution in 2022, leveraged with matching funds for a total grant of $5,000 to the Wisconsin DNR to support the mudpuppy research and conservation project.<\/p>\n You can support amphibians and reptiles in Wisconsin by becoming a member or donating to the Wisconsin Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Fund.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/donatenow.networkforgood.org\/WisconservationMembership” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Become a member” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wisconservation.networkforgood.com\/projects\/111474-wisconsin-amphibian-reptile-conservation-fund” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”donate to the Wisconsin amphibian and reptile conservation fund” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-7.png” alt=”a researcher holding a mudpuppy over a net filled with water” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 (7)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||21px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A researcher holding a mudpuppy over a net filled with water. Photo by Heather Kaarakka, WDNR<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src_webm=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GMT20230221-175145_Recording.cutfile.20230221215238826_1920x1080.mp4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Thank you to all who were able to join us over the lunch hour to dive into the wonderful world of amphibians and reptiles! Please enjoy the webinar recording.<\/span><\/p>\n We heard from Dr. Joshua Kapfer, professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, <\/span>Certified Wildlife Biologist \u00ae, and editor of the long-awaited Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin <\/em><\/a><\/span>book, and Rori Paloski, conservation biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The two shared information about the amphibians and reptiles that call Wisconsin home \u2013 including the mudpuppy. They also described what conservation efforts are underway to protect them, and what people can do to help. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When:<\/strong><\/span> Tuesday, February 21<\/span>st<\/sup><\/span>, 12-1 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Thank you for your support of Wisconsin\u2019s amphibians and reptiles!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog-post-photo-dimensions-43-8.png” alt=”Cover of the book Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin by Joshua Kapfer and Donald Brown” title_text=”Blog Post Photo Dimensions 43 (8)” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cover of “Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin” edited by Joshua M. Kapfer and Donald J. Brown.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\nMudpuppies in Wisconsin Need Love, Too! <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Searching for Mudpuppies<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Helping Wisconsin\u2019s Amphibians and Reptiles<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Virtual Event: Wisconsin\u2019s amphibians and reptiles need love, too!<\/strong><\/h3>\n