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What is That Creature?
The Daily Dunkln Democrat ^
| Thursday, April 2, 2009
| Deanna Coronado
Posted on 04/02/2009 3:11:42 PM PDT by nickcarraway
"What in the world is that? A snake, eel, possibly a salamander?"
These are the questions that likely traveled through the mind of a Dunklin County resident who recently located a strange looking creature in a ditch positioned in the front yard of his home.
According to local Missouri Department of Conservation Agent, Eric Heuring, he recently visited the area residence to exam the animal and found himself, like the homeowner, in awe.
"After arriving at the residence and taking a look at it, I found myself speechless," Heuring said of the strange find.
It turns out that the once unidentified creature is actually Missouri's longest salamander, a Three-toed Amphiuma, growing to more than 30 inches.
According to Heuring, the creature is easy to mistake for a snake, but it has four tiny legs and lacks scales.
"Amphiumas also are called Congo eels or blue eels, but they are amphibians, not fish," Heuring explains.
"Amphiumas have lungs and have to surface the water to breathe. They are aquatic and nocturnal, found living in ditches, sloughs and cypress swamps in 10 counties of southeastern Missouri.
"In rainy weather conditions, one may find the creature crawling around on wet surfaces." Amphiumas come out at night to hunt for crayfish, worms, insects, tadpoles, snails and small fish, according to researchers.
"We live in the northwestern edge of the species' national range, which extends from Texas to Alabama and northward to southeastern Missouri," Heuring said.
"They will bite, but they are not venomous. If you catch one on a hook, or find one in your yard cut the line and leave the animal alone. They are a species of concern in Missouri and protected by law."
TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: cryptobiology; missouri; salamander
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Update: The Missouri Bar is deciding whether to admit.
To: nickcarraway
2
posted on
04/02/2009 3:13:42 PM PDT
by
nickcarraway
(Are the Good Times Really Over?)
To: nickcarraway
To: nickcarraway
Get the 12 Guage...quick!
4
posted on
04/02/2009 3:17:46 PM PDT
by
unkus
To: nickcarraway
It looks like a worm with eyes.
5
posted on
04/02/2009 3:18:09 PM PDT
by
Ken522
To: nickcarraway
6
posted on
04/02/2009 3:19:19 PM PDT
by
cripplecreek
(The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
To: nickcarraway
7
posted on
04/02/2009 3:20:49 PM PDT
by
bgill
(this is my happy face)
To: nickcarraway
8
posted on
04/02/2009 3:23:12 PM PDT
by
FlJoePa
To: nickcarraway
9
posted on
04/02/2009 3:23:27 PM PDT
by
BradyLS
(DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
To: BradyLS
10
posted on
04/02/2009 3:24:51 PM PDT
by
ak267
To: nickcarraway
>They are a species of concern in Missouri and protected by law.
Unlike the unborn of H. Sapien.
11
posted on
04/02/2009 3:24:57 PM PDT
by
OneWingedShark
(Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
To: nickcarraway
12
posted on
04/02/2009 3:25:13 PM PDT
by
Joe 6-pack
(Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
To: nickcarraway
Snakes on a plain.
13
posted on
04/02/2009 3:32:05 PM PDT
by
Ciexyz
(I heard Joe the Plumber speak 03-30-2009.)
To: FlJoePa
14
posted on
04/02/2009 3:32:38 PM PDT
by
hosepipe
(This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole....)
To: nickcarraway
These are the questions that likely traveled through the mind of a Dunklin County resident who recently located a strange looking creature in a ditch positioned in the front yard of his home.Warning! Warning! One of our Donuts has gotten loose!
15
posted on
04/02/2009 3:33:13 PM PDT
by
Young Werther
(Julius Caesar (Quae Cum Ita Sunt. Since these things are so.))
To: FlJoePa
To: nickcarraway
THat thing is protected!?!
Apparently they were always rare. Why else has no one seen or heard of them?
17
posted on
04/02/2009 3:33:46 PM PDT
by
mamelukesabre
(Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
To: Joe 6-pack
4 DOORS? are they for coming or going? Is that a Mud Bug on the roof? When is the Ragin Cajun to offer a franchise in Eureka Ca...
18
posted on
04/02/2009 3:36:38 PM PDT
by
tubebender
(99% of Lawyers give the rest a bad name...)
To: Joe 6-pack
When I would go craw-fishing in South Louisiana, sometimes I would find one in my trap. It would be in the trap and no craw fish. They love crawfish which led their demise. However, the other thing that loves crawfish is a water moccasin. They would also die.
Never, Never, Never, Never, get between a Cajun and his crawfish!!!!
19
posted on
04/02/2009 3:52:34 PM PDT
by
cpdiii
(roughneck, oilfield trash and proud of it, geologist, pilot, pharmacist, iconoclast.)
To: nickcarraway
Florida has a legless lizard: It’s weird to see one blink its eyes.
20
posted on
04/02/2009 3:54:07 PM PDT
by
Does so
( I called it right on Perot: The 0bama will quit before 6 months are up.)
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