Two-toed amphiuma
| Two-toed amphiuma | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Caudata |
| Family: | Amphiumidae |
| Genus: | Amphiuma |
| Species: | A. means |
| Binomial name | |
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Amphiuma means Garden in Smith, 1821 |
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The two-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma means) is a snake-like salamander found chiefly in the southeastern United States. It is commonly, but incorrectly, called "congo snake", "conger eel" or the "blind eel". One of the largest extant species of amphibians in the world, they can grow from 39 to 1,042 g (1.4 to 36.8 oz) in mass and from 34.8 to 116 cm (13.7 to 45.7 in) in length. They have four vestigial legs that end in two or three toes which are virtually useless, and eyes without lids. They are blue-black in color. They feed on small fish, crawfish, insect larvae, and even small snakes; they are harmless to humans when left alone, but when disturbed, they can deliver a tough bite, which may lead to a severe infection. Unlike other salamanders, which are mute, A. means gives a clear whistle when disturbed.
Two-toed amphiumas are nocturnal, and are often difficult to handle because of their slippery skins. They may leave water temporarily if weather is wet enough and they dig burrows in muddy bottoms, or may invade the burrows of other aquatic creatures. Amphiumas breed from June to July in North Carolina and northern Florida. Females lay about 200 eggs in a damp cavity beneath debris, and they remain coiled around them during incubation (which lasts around five months). Hatchlings are about 2 in (51 mm) long with light-colored gills soon lost after hatching.
Amphiumas live in the stagnant waters of swamps, bayous, and commonly in drainage ditches. Their range includes southeastern Virginia, Florida, south Louisiana, and East and south Texas.
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