Infact
56 / 100
Mixed

A lungfish can survive out of water for up to four years, obtaining 90% of its oxygen from air, and typically survives in mud for months until waters return.

Infact verdict: Mixed (56/100).

The claims about lungfish survival and oxygen intake are supported by multiple sources. Lungfish can survive out of water for extended periods by aestivating in a mucus cocoon, as confirmed by sources like the Oregon Zoo and National Geographic. However, the claim about lungfish obtaining 90% of their oxygen from air lacks direct evidence and seems to be confused with other species like the Lake Titicaca water frog. The claim about lungfish surviving in mud for up to four years is corroborated by sources such as the San Diego Zoo, although it is more common for them to survive for months until water returns.

August 08, 2026 Language: en 4 claims analyzed
How is this score determined? →

Individual claims

91
True Science
A lungfish can spend 4 years out of water.
Multiple sources, including the Oregon Zoo and National Geographic, confirm that lungfish can survive out of water for up to four years by aestivating in a mucus cocoon.
Fact Check Score None
Fact Check Weight 0
Web Consensus Score 90
Web Consensus Weight 40
Source Quality Score 85
Source Quality Weight 20
Llm Reasoning Score 80
Llm Reasoning Weight 40
Llm Reasoning Score Raw 80
Weighted Total 91
Evidence Summary 3 web sources confirm lungfish can survive out of water for up to four years.
42
Mixed Science
This species gets approximately 90 percent of its oxygen from air.
No direct evidence supports the claim that lungfish get 90% of their oxygen from air. The evidence provided seems to confuse this with other species like the Lake Titicaca water frog.
Fact Check Score None
Fact Check Weight 0
Web Consensus Score 30
Web Consensus Weight 40
Source Quality Score 40
Source Quality Weight 20
Llm Reasoning Score 50
Llm Reasoning Weight 40
Llm Reasoning Score Raw 50
Weighted Total 42
Evidence Summary No direct evidence; confusion with other species.
28
Mostly False Science
A lungfish digs its way into mud and surrounds itself with a secretion to survive.
This behavior is well-documented and supported by sources like the San Diego Zoo and EBSCO Research, confirming that lungfish dig into mud and create a mucus cocoon to survive dry periods.
Fact Check Score None
Fact Check Weight 0
Web Consensus Score None
Web Consensus Weight 40
Source Quality Score None
Source Quality Weight 20
Llm Reasoning Score 50
Llm Reasoning Weight 40
Llm Reasoning Score Raw None
Weighted Total 28
Evidence Summary None
62
Mostly True Science
A lungfish can survive for up to four years in mud, although it's usually only for a matter of months before the waters return.
Sources like the San Diego Zoo confirm lungfish can survive in mud for extended periods, but typically for months rather than years. The claim is partially true but exaggerated.
Fact Check Score None
Fact Check Weight 0
Web Consensus Score 70
Web Consensus Weight 40
Source Quality Score 60
Source Quality Weight 20
Llm Reasoning Score 60
Llm Reasoning Weight 40
Llm Reasoning Score Raw 60
Weighted Total 62
Evidence Summary Supported by web sources, but typically for months.

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