Description: 14-30 in. (36-76 cm). This large salamander looks more like an eel than an amphibian. Coloration is dark brown or black on the back and dark gray below.  Amphiumas have two front legs that are relatively useless with two toes on each and no external gills.
Range and Habitat: Found in primarily in the coastal plain and Eastern piedmont North Carolina. Very aquatic.  Habitats include ponds, pools, swamps, rice fields, and ditches.
Habits: Mainly feed on worms, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, snakes, frogs and other salamanders.
Breeding: Amphiumas lay long strings of eggs in shallow water in the winter. Eggs take up to 5 months to hatch.
Facts: Amphiumas can be spotted at night in shallow muddy water. They sometimes travel overland during rain or wet weather. Amphiumas have strong jaws and bite viciously so handle with care.

Range of the Two-Toed Amphiuma in the Caolinas and Virginia