Northern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus)

Common Name: Northern Dwarf Siren
Scientific Name: Pseudobranchus striatus
Family: Sirenidae – Siren family
Locations: United States – Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
Size: 4.0 – 9.9 inches (10 – 25 cm)

In the cypress, gum ponds, and other acidic wetlands of the south there lies a siren looking to lure you into the depths of the water. Ok maybe that’s not entirely true but the Northern Dwarf Siren lives in those water bodies but they prefer to stay hidden there. These guys are fully aquatic and have adapted to it. They retain their gills throughout their life, allowing them to breath in the water. They also don’t have back legs, allowing them to swim easier.

The Dwarf Sirens (Pseudobranchus) have 3 toes on their feet while the Sirens (Siren) have 4. The Northern Dwarf Siren lives the farthest north than the Southern Dwarf Siren, who is found only in Florida. The Northern Dwarf Siren is the smallest of all the siren species. The females of the species is slightly larger than the male.

There are a few different subspecies of the Northern Dwarf Siren: the Gulf Hammock Mud Siren / Gulf Hammock Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus lustricolus), Broad-Striped Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus striatus), and theSlender Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus spheniscus)

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Northern Dwarf Siren as Least Concern for Extinction. They have a decent sized range and are thought to be common throughout it.