Meet Max, the resident mud puppy at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Max is estimated to be around 20 years old and is one of Minnesota’s largest amphibians. Mud puppies can grow to be a foot long and like axolotls, they are a fully aquatic salamander.

“A lot of amphibians like frogs and salamanders go through a process of metamorphosis where they hatch from eggs, they live in water and breathe underwater using gills until they reach maturity and move onto land”, said Alexis Berke, director of learning and engagement at the Great Lakes Aquarium. “Axolotls and mud puppies both retain their gills, and they remain fully aquatic salamanders through their adult life.”

According to Berke, if you see a mud puppy in the water, it’s a good sign, as they are an indicator species of clean, clear, healthy water. Mud puppies can be found in several parts of Minnesota and can be found as far south as Tennessee.

“We just want people to remember that there are cool animals like the Mud Puppy that share the habitats that we like to recreate in and remember that the things that we put in the water often affect the animals there”, said Berke. “So enjoy the water and keep it clean for our wild neighbors like Max the Mud Puppy.”