Amphiuma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amphiuma |
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| Two-toed Amphiuma | |
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Amphiumidae
Gray, 1825
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Amphiuma
Garden, 1821
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Amphiuma means |
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Amphiuma is a genus of aquatic salamanders. They are the only genus still living in the family Amphiumidae. They are sometimes called "conger eels" or "congo snakes", which is not correct. Amphiumas have one of the largest amounts of DNA in the living world, around 25 times more than a human.
Description
Amphiumas have a long body. They are generally grey-black in color. They do have legs but they are very small. Amphiumas can be up to 116 cm (46 in) long, their legs are only up to about 2 cm (0.79 in). It is because of this that they are often mistaken for eels or snakes. They also do not have eyelids or a tongue.
Female amphiumas lay their eggs in wet mud. They then stay coiled around them for about five months, until they hatch. The larvae have external gills. After about four months these external gills disappear and the lungs begin to work.
Distribution
Amphiumas live in the southeastern part of the United States.
In the past they have lived in more areas. Fossils from the Pleistocene time show that they once lived in Europe.
Behavior
During the day amphiumas hide in plants. At night they become active and go hunting. Their prey include frogs, snakes, fish, crustaceans, insects and even other amphiumas. Hunting and eating habits are similar to that of the Axolotl. They suck food into their stomachs with vacuum force. They can become aggressive.
Species
There are three amphiuma species. They are different because of the number of toes:
- Three-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum)
- Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means)
- One-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma pholeter)
Images for kids
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Musculature of upper and lower Jaw in Amphiuma. Specimen from the Pacific Lutheran University Natural History collection, dissection and photos by Misty Lang and Nina Thach
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Amphiuma lung with a magnified portion of the lung to show the amphiuma vascular tissue.
See also
In Spanish: Amphiuma para niños
