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
The fish that could drown (and other amazing tales)
Fish are masters of aquatic living, though some manage to do pretty well on land, too! Of living species, the mudskipper is probably the best adapted to life out of water - in fact, a mudskipper will drown if it can’t periodically come to the surface! This unusual fish uses its powerful, almost leg-like fins to walk on land and can even use them to “skip” up to 2 feet in the air! Similar to many amphibians, the mudskipper is able to breathe through its skin and the linings of its mouth and throat. It also seals water in its gill chambers when it leaves the water for extended stays on the land, much like a scuba diver brings air with them!-
Learn more >>
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
