Greater Siren
Siren laceratina
(click images to enlarge)

Appearance: Greater Sirens range in size from 20 – 30 in. (51 – 76 cm).  Greater Sirens are olive to light gray dorsally with lighter coloration on their sides. The sides often have faint greenish or yellowish speckling.  Greater Sirens have small front legs, with 4 toes on each. Greater Sirens do not have hind legs. This species has 3 pairs of bushy external gills and their eyes lack lids.

Habitat: Greater Sirens are fully aquatic and use a variety of habitats.  Adults can be found in open water and amid floating vegetation in drainage canals.  Greater Sirens can also be found in:  ponds, lakes, slow rivers, and water-filled ditches.  Greater Sirens are capable of burrowing, and in dry times will burrow and secrete a moisture-retaining cocoon. They feed on crayfish, worms, mollusks, small fish, and incidental aquatic vegetation.

Vocalization:  Greater Sirens have been known to let out a "yelp" when caught.

Reproduction/Eggs: Not a lot is known about the reproductive biology of Greater Sirens.  It is assumed that they breed in early-late winter and egg fertilization is external. It is also presumed that Greater Sirens lay several hundred eggs and deposit them in shallow water environments.

Abundance: Greater Sirens are common in aquatic environments across Florida.

Range: Greater Sirens range from the vicinity of Washington, D.C. to extreme south Florida and southern Alabama.