African Lungfish

scientific name

Protopterus annectens

size/weight/height

6.5" when fully grown

adaptations/coloration

Heart: 4 chambers
Lungs: necessary to breathe air when water dries up
Burrowing: in soft mud " curls up in chamber lined with mucus " opening allows breathing through mouth " metabolic rate slows " energy comes from breakdown muscle tissue " may survive maximum 4 yr. but usually only few months necessary

behavior

aggressive predators

reproduction/lifespan

Eggs: laid in nest
Newborn: larvae have external gills " reabsorbed during metamorphosis
Parenting: males guard newly hatched young up to 2 mos.

diet

Wild: frogs & small fish
Zoo: krill

habitat/range

swamps " small rivers " West & South Africa

status

not listed

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Rain Forest

back to top