Rio Cauca Caecilian

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

They grow to 45 to 55 cm in length. They are dark grey- black in color. While T. natans can and occasionally does breath air at the surface, most of the respiration takes place through its skin.

The species is oviviparous, giving birth to young in water. The gestation period lasts app. 220 days. 3-7 live, fully developed young are born, which after only one year reach almost half the size of an adult (25 cm).

Did you know?
They are members of an ancient family of amphibians. These unique animals went underground long before the dinosaurs appeared (all caecilians are constructed for digging). They are nearly blind and find their food by taste and smell.

Factsheet
Class	AMPHIBIA
Order	GYMNOPHIONA
Suborder	LISSAMPHIBIA
Family	TYPHLONECTIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Typhlonectes natans
Name (English)	Rio Cauca Caecilian
Name (French)	Cecilie aquatique
Name (German)	Schwimmwühle
Name (Spanish)	Culebra ciega
CITES Status	Not listed
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Samuel Furrer

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Colombia, Venezuela
Habitat	Aquatic species, living in rivers, marshes and lakes, usually in open areas, and is only rarely found on land.
Wild population	No data, but is very common.The population trend is decreasing (Red List IUCN 2012)
Zoo population	138 reported to ISIS (2007).

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 45 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

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