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Western Lesser Siren

Siren intermedia nettingi

Did you know?

  • They eat crayfish, snails, worms and aquatic insects.
  • An adult can grow up to 20 inches long.
  • They have no front teeth, sucking in water and prey like vacuum cleaners.
  • To avoid freezing temperatures, they burrow deep underwater and brumates.
  • A female can lay more than 1,500 eggs.

Mistaken Identity

At first glance, you may think this water-dwelling critter is an eel – but guess again! This is a siren, a type of salamander found only in the southern and central United States and northeastern Mexico. A siren has two tiny front legs, no hind legs and retains external gills throughout its life (unlike many amphibians, which lose their gills during metamorphosis).

Water Dweller

The western lesser siren spends most of its time in the water. During the day, it remains hidden under submerged roots or aquatic plants. At night, it comes out to search for food at the water bottom.

Threat Level

  • Unknown
  • Common
  • Near Threatened
  • Threatened
  • Endangered
  • Critically Endangered
  • Extinct in the Wild

Common

The Western Lesser Siren is widespread and abundant.

Range

Alabama to central Texas, north in Mississippi Valley to Michigan

Habitat

Streams, lakes, ponds, swamps, ditches

We care about western lesser sirens

The Saint Louis Zoo supports western lesser sirens in the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium. Learn more about how we are helping wildlife around the world.

Dedicated to Conservation

Find this animal in Historic Hill

SAINT LOUIS ZOO ZONE

Historic Hill

Historic Hill is a lovely stroll through one of the oldest parts of the Saint Louis Zoo. From the 1904 World’s Fair Flight Cage to the Spanish architectural flavor of the 1920s in the Bird House, Primate House and Herpetarium to the finishing touches of our thoroughly modern exhibits, this area of the Zoo has a unique ambiance and a nostalgic history that make it a great destination.

Explore Historic Hill