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West African Lungfish

(Protopterus annectens)

 

Category: Fish

 

 

This species of lungfish inhabits a wide range of habitats in West and Middle Africa, and the northern half of Southern Africa. They have a long eel-like body, small eyes, a prominent snout, and two pairs of long, filamentous fins. During the dry season, they bury themselves deeply in the mud and go into a dormant state (estivation) in which they can survive without food and water for up to 3 ½ years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_lungfish

http://www.petsource.org/aquatic-by-species/aquatic-fresh-water/3533-grey-african-lungfish.html

 

Data & Facts

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Sarcopterygii
Order - Lepidosireniformes
Family - Protopteridae
Genus - Protopterus
Species - P. annectens

 
Did you know?
Interesting Animal Facts

The Oldest Fish in the Sea?

The Greenland Sleeper Shark, the only living species of sub-Arctic shark, is an apex predator only slightly smaller than the great white shark, with an estimated lifespan of 200 years - one of the longest-living vertebrates on the planet. While the Greenland Shark is a slow swimmer, it will eat just about anything: eels, flounders, other sharks, seals - and those are just animals who live in the water! Polar bear remains and even an entire reindeer body have been found inside these sharks! Fortunately, while there are Inuit legends of Greenland sharks attacking kayaks, there have been no reports of human predation. There have been, however many cases of people eating Greenland sharks! Their meat is highly toxic - it will produce effects in your body similar to being extremely drunk, but a fermented version that has been hung out to dry for several weeks is considered a delicacy in Iceland.

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