What is it?

NMB STP Volunteer found this creature near a storm drain on the beach while walking early yesterday morning 

 Know what it is?

Per Joe:

The animal I found at the storm drain discharge around 5th avenue is a Greater Siren. These are are a group of completely aquatic (breathes through gills only) and nocturnal salamanders. They are eel-like with no rear legs and rudimentary front legs and external gill (that you can see in the close up photo). They are predators who eat insects and small fish. Probably washed down from the large marsh during last nights storm that is just off Hillside and 7th ave. Some people told me that they saw several other on the beach, but this is the only one I saw. They can live up to 25 years. They can grow up to 37 inches; this one is 21 inch (a little one !). Unfortunately, it did not survive its trip to the ocean. Amazing what we have in NMB!

Thank you Joe for sharing!!