![]() ![]() It can survive outside of water for up to four days. This adaptation enables snakeheads to thrive in low-oxygen, stagnant bodies of water in a variety of settings, from swamps to muddy rivers to canals to ponds. This allows the animal to absorb oxygen directly from air by gulping it in through its mouth. Air-breathingĬhanna argus has a special chamber adjacent to its gills called a suprabranchial organ. During times of drought, snakeheads generally burrow into the mud however during rainstorms, they can more easily migrate. ![]() The juveniles are adept at moving short distances on land, however when they get older and their bodies become more rounded, it becomes more difficult. The scales are golden tan to pale brown, and they have distinctive splotches along their flank. Their long dorsal fin, which runs much of the length of their body, and a powerful anal fin make them speedy swimmers. They have sharp, dagger-like teeth, and canine teeth on their lower jaw. These fish, whose elongated bodies earned them their name, can grow up to three feet long in introduced areas, and even larger in their native range. The fast-growing creatures are carnivorous, eating zooplankton when they are young, but quickly progressing to insects, small amphibians, and other fish. But it’s also been introduced around the world, including most recently, the United States, where the invasive species has caused environmental problems. This aggressive fish is native to China, southern Siberia, and North Korea, where it is fished and occasionally raised for food. Juveniles can also wriggle their long, narrow bodies onto land, enabling them to travel from one pond or stream to another if needed. The northern snakehead ( Channa argus) has a most unusual ability: It can breathe outside of the water, as well as within. ![]()
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