Amphiuma tridactylum

Three-toed Aalmolch ( Amphiuma tridactylum )

The three-toed Aalmolch ( Amphiuma tridactylum ) is a type of the Congo Eels ( Amphiumidae ). It can reach a maximum body length of about one meter and is spreading northward from the Mississippi Trench to the southern border of Illinois and Texas.

Features

The three-toed Aalmolch reached as the two-toed - Aalmolch (A. Means ) an average body length of about 35-76 centimeters, which also record lengths are assigned to 1.06 meters. The pig is elongated and has no hind legs; his little front legs are equipped with three toes to give the animal its name and can be distinguished from the other species of the family. The body coloration is gray-black to brown, the ventral side is slightly lighter.

Dissemination

His homeland stretches from the Mississippi Trench northwards to the southern border of Illinois and west to eastern Texas. The distribution area includes all kinds of waters of small and larger ponds and flood meadows over marshes and lakes to slow moving rivers.

Way of life

The three-toed Aalmolch lives almost exclusively aquatic and is only used in very wet weather in the area of swamps and flood plains on land. They often hide in the mud or detritus and wait for passing floating prey such as insects, amphibians, crustaceans, snakes or smaller fish.