- Greater Siren
Taxobox
name = Greater Siren
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = unknown
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Amphibia
ordo =Caudata
familia =Sirenidae
genus = Siren
species = "S. lacertina"
binomial = "Siren lacertina"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1766The Greater Siren ("Siren lacertina") is an
eel -likeamphibia n. There is some debate over whether it is a truesalamander . The largest of the Sirens, they can grow from 48-97 centimeters in length. They range in color from black to brown, and have a lighter grey or yellow underbelly. Younger Sirens also have a light stripe along their side, which goes away with age. They have largegill s and no hind legs. The front legs, each with four toes, are so small that they can be hidden in the gills. roots. Adults are sometimes caught at night by bait fishermen. When drought strikes the sirens aestivate in mud burrows and their bodies secrete a moisture-sealing coccoon over the body. Captive longetivity about 25 years.References
* Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
* National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and AmphibiansExternal links
* [http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/GREEN/80728073 Lake creature with 'legs' stumps Central Floridians]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.