Amphiuma tridactylum

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Three-toed Amphiuma

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Caudata
Family:	Amphiumidae
Genus:	Amphiuma
Species:	A. tridactylum

Binomial name

Amphiuma tridactylum
Cuvier, 1827

Synonyms

Amphiuma means tridactylum

The Three-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum) is a species of aquatic salamander native to the southeastern United States.

1 Description
2 Distribution
3 Behavior
4 References

[edit] Description

The three-toed amphiuma looks rather eel-like, with an elongate, dark grey-black, or brown colored body, and tiny vestigial legs. They are capable of growing to lengths of 41 inches (1 m). They have small, lidless eyes, and gill slits.

[edit] Distribution

The three-toed amphiuma is found in the United States, along the Gulf of Mexico states, from Alabama to Texas, and north to Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.

[edit] Behavior

Amphiuma are nocturnal carnivores. They spend most of the time hiding in heavily vegetated areas of permanent bodies of slow moving water, such as swamps, ponds and lakes. They feed on earthworms, fish, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.

[edit] References

Hammerson (2004). Amphiuma tridactylum. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern