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