| Amphiumids
are commonly known as "congo eels," a complete misnomer
if there ever was one. First of all, amphiumids are amphibians,
rather than fish (which eels are). Furthermore, the congo eel, which
is probably the basis for this common name, is a marine fish. This
notwithstanding, amphiumas certainly bear resemblance to the elongate
fishes. It is easy to overlook the diminutive legs, and the lack
of any external gills (as opposed to the sirens) adds to the similarity
between the amphiumas and eels. Amphiumas have two pairs of legs,
and the three species, all of which occur in the southeastern United
States, differ in regard to the number of toes at the ends of these
limbs. There are three species: one species has one toe, one has
two, and the third has three toes per limb. The two-toed amphiuma
is the largest of the family, and is the longest salamander species
in the United States, approaching four feet in total length. Amphiuma
means is distinguishable, of course, by the number of toes. The
color is dark on dorsum (gray to black), fading to lighter shades
on the venter. Amphiumas are less aquatic than their bodies might
suggest, and it appears that they actually lay their eggs at the
interface of water and land, rather than in a strictly aquatic habitat.
Amphiumas, especially this largest of the three species, are notorious
for having a vicious (though not at all venomous) bite and should
be handled with some respect. They are found in most aquatic habitats,
(especially those with slow or no current) on the SRS and feed on
all types of aquatic animals, including other amphiumas.
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