Definition

1. Noun:
   • Any of several large aquatic salamanders: A "waterdog" is a common name for certain types of salamanders that live primarily in water and can grow to a considerable size. These are typically the larval or neotenic (retaining juvenile features into adulthood) forms of salamanders like the mudpuppy (Necturus spp.) or other species.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We found a waterdog under a rock in the creek.
  • The waterdog is often used as fishing bait in some regions.

Advanced Usage

• Zoological Context: In herpetology, "waterdog" is an informal common name. The precise species it refers to can vary by region. It often specifically denotes the larval stage of the tiger salamander () in the American Southwest or the mudpuppy in the Eastern United States.
  • Biologists studied the gilled waterdog as a neotenic species.

Variants and Related Words

• Mudpuppy (n): A specific type of fully aquatic salamander () often called a waterdog.
• Axolotl (n): Another neotenic aquatic salamander, but from Mexico, not typically called a "waterdog" in common English usage.

Synonyms

• Aquatic salamander: A general descriptive term.
• Mudpuppy: A specific synonym in many contexts.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "waterdog" is almost exclusively used for the animal. It is not used idiomatically to describe a person who enjoys water sports (unlike "water bug" or "water baby"). Its meaning is very specific to zoology and informal naturalist language.

Noun

1. any of several large aquatic salamanders