Title
Self and conspecific dermatophagy in the aquatic salamander amphiuma tridactylum
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
Dermatophagy, the practice of eating shed skin, in amphibians and reptiles has been reported anecdotally in the literature, but the process and purpose remains poorly understood. We document a fortuitous observation of whole-skin shedding and conspecific dermatophagy in Amphiuma tridactylum (Three-toed Amphiuma), and report on 2 additional observations of self-dermatophagy. Shed skins are potential protein and nutrient sources, and we suggest that dermatophagy may be a much more common occurrence than originally thought.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Southeastern Naturalist
First Page
N40
Last Page
N43
Recommended Citation
Fontenot, C., & Pojman, J. (2016). Self and conspecific dermatophagy in the aquatic salamander amphiuma tridactylum. Southeastern Naturalist, 15 (3), N40-N43. https://doi.org/10.1656/058.015.0312
