West African Lungfish [Protopterus annectens]
Description
The West African Lungfish is a type of lungfish which is native to Africa. This species is characterized by its elongated body, which can reach lengths of up to 100 cm. It has a grey or brown coloration and its skin is covered in large, bony scales. It possesses both gills and a lung, allowing it to breathe in both water and air. This lungfish is known to burrow into the mud and create a cocoon during the dry season, where it can survive in a state of estivation for up to a year. Its diet primarily consists of snails, small fish, and detritus.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Lobe-Fin Fish
Sarcopterygii
|
| Order |
Lungfishes
Dipnoi
|
| Family |
African Lungfishes
Protopteridae
|
| Genus |
West African Lungfish
Protopterus annectens
|