A massive eel-like aquatic salamander. Largest fully aquatic salamander in eastern US.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The greater siren is an amphibian and one of the five members of the genus Siren. The largest of the sirens and one of the largest amphibians in North America, the greater siren resides in the coastal plains of the southeastern United States.
Source: Wikipedia — Greater siren Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Massive eel-shaped salamander with bushy red external gills behind small head; tiny front limbs only; long tail; olive-gray to dark brown body.
Similar species. Lesser Siren (smaller, different gill structure). Amphiumas (4 tiny limbs, no external gills). Eels (different family, different mouth structure).
Voice. Distinctive yelps, clicks, and squeaks — one of the few vocal US salamanders.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Crayfish, snails, small fish, aquatic insects, worms, occasional plant material.
Behavior. Among the largest salamanders in the world. Eel-like body with only tiny front legs (no rear legs at all); retains external feathery red gills throughout life (paedomorphy). When wetlands dry up, sirens secrete a mucus cocoon and aestivate buried in mud for months; documented survival for over 5 years in cocoon. Vocalizes — produces audible yelps and clicks, unusual for amphibians.
§ Range
Southeastern US Coastal Plain
§ Habitat
Swamps, ponds, marshes
§ Threats
Wetland loss, fish kills.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the greater siren (eastern) is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support wetland protection.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Greater siren
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Siren lacertina
- IUCN Red List · taxon 59489
- iNaturalist · taxon 27506
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Siren lacertina
§ Sources cited
- AmphibiaWeb
- Mendyk Conservation Biology research
- Florida Museum of Natural History
- IUCN Red List 2014
