Amphiumidae – Amphiumas
US native, these legless aquatic salamanders have elongated, greyish-black body
This family, also known as congo eels, is a small group of salamanders endemic to the southeastern United States. They are characterized by their long, slender bodies and ability to breathe through their skin and mouth lining, similar to plethodontid salamanders.
Members of this family are adapted for life in the water, with gills and a streamlined body shape. They are typically large, with some species reaching up to 1.5 meters (5 ft) in length, but they are not as heavily built as other large salamander families such as Cryptobranchidae. Amphiumas are carnivorous, feeding on insects, worms, and other small invertebrates. They are found in various aquatic habitats, including swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams. Amphiumid salamanders are not widely known or studied, and little is known about their behavior and ecology.
