*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: Elongate, eel-like salamander (maximum 7.7”) with small eyes, flat head, and bushy gills. Gray or grayish brown on top. Small, well-defined black spotting on head and dorsum may occasionally be present. Sensory pits on head ivory to beige colored and more visible than Western Siren. Hindlimbs absent, possessing only forelimbs with four toes each. 30–33 costal grooves. Belly is gray and generally lighter than top.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Western panhandle of Florida west to eastern Florida Parishes of Louisiana.
Louisiana Range: Known from a larval tissue sample taken at one site in northern St. Tammany Parish.
Adult Habitat: Sandy, seepage-fed creeks, especially those with ample sphagnum mats, mucky seeps, and vegetated seepage bogs.
Natural History: Seepage Sirens were first described in 2023 and not much is known about their natural history. They are aquatic and most likely active at night when they search for food. They presumably use chemical cues to find food, which likely consists of a variety of invertebrates. Possible predators include snakes and wading birds. No information exists on the reproductive ecology of Seepage Sirens. Maximum wild longevity is unknown.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Known from only one site in Louisiana but possibly occurring in appropriate habitats in the eastern Florida Parishes. Like other siren, Seepage Sirens are presumably secretive and nocturnal. They may best be observed by searching within and under sphagnum mats along seepage-fed creeks, or dipnetting mud and muck and sifting through the contents. Perhaps, like other siren, they may be observable with the aid of a flashlight during cooler months in the shallows at night.
Global Conservation Status: The IUCN Red List has not assessed this newly described species nor has NatureServe Global Conservation given it a Status Rank.
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Seepage Sirens have a ranking of SU (unrankable) in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have never seen a Seepage Siren anywhere in its range, but have rarely been in their range and never targeted them.