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<br />000659 <br /> <br />FAST FACTS <br />Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) <br /> <br /> <br />o Joseph R. Tomeller; <br /> <br />Distinguishing Features: <br />~ Brownish-green upper body with a yellow to white colored belly <br />~ Abrupt. sharp edged hump on back behind head <br />~ Fleshy lips used for sucking up food <br />~ Generally 16 to 28 inches long weighing less than 7 pounds but have been <br />known to reach 36 inches and 13 pounds <br /> <br />Specifics: <br />);> No,^, limited to 25% of historic range <br />~ Thought to have evolved 3 million years ago <br />)0> Have been known to live 40 years or more <br />>> Capable of spawning at an age of 3 to 4 years; spa\Nns in spring <br />,. Feeds primarily on insects, plankton, and plant matter <br />~ Natural habitat is in the Colorado River Basin <br />};> Valued as food by early settlers and miners of the Colorado River Basin <br />~ Hump is believed to provide stability in turbulent flow <br /> <br />Status: <br />);> Given full protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1991; listed as <br />endangered <br />~ Endangered under Colorado law as of 1979 <br />~ Listed as protected under Utah law as of 1973 <br />~ Existing population comprised primarily of adult fish because few young <br />survive <br />>> Populations are being reintroduced in the Colorado, Gunnison. Green and <br />San .Juan rivers <br /> <br />July 2000 <br />