Like amphiumas , sirens also feed on crayfish and other small animals. When wetland habitats dry, sirens go underground, and they have the ability to form a cocoon around their bodies to hold in moisture. This adaptation allows them to stay dormant in dry weather until the rains refill the wetlands. It is hard to believe that two such large animals are so infrequently seen. Although these two species are fairly common, very little is known about their natural history.
More research is needed to determine what role they play in the ecosystem.
Giant Salamanders Photos provided by David Scott. This information is provided as a public service by the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Outreach office.