Amphiumas

Amphiumas are a genus of large, eel-like salamanders native to the southeastern United States. They belong to the family Amphiumidae, which contains only this single genus. Amphiumas are characterized by their elongated, dark, and slimy bodies, which can reach lengths of up to one meter. They possess very small, almost vestigial limbs, each with only one or two tiny digits. These limbs are not used for locomotion but are primarily for grasping. Their eyes are small and lack eyelids, and they have a single nostril located at the tip of their snout.

These amphibians are primarily aquatic, inhabiting slow-moving, muddy, or stagnant bodies of water such as swamps, ditches, and ponds. They are nocturnal predators, feeding on a variety of small aquatic animals including fish, crustaceans, insects, and other amphibians. Amphiumas are known for their ability to breathe air, possessing functional lungs in addition to gills which are reduced in adults. They can survive out of water for extended periods, often moving between water bodies during wet conditions. They are also capable of tolerating low oxygen levels and can burrow into mud to escape unfavorable conditions or to aesthetize during dry spells. Amphiumas are generally harmless to humans, though their strong jaws can deliver a bite if they feel threatened.