C
Species Profile

Caecilian

Gymnophiona

Tentacled tunnel-hunters of the tropics
Manfred Ruckszio/Shutterstock.com

Caecilian Distribution

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Found in 41 countries

caecilian on flat rock

At a Glance

Order Overview This page covers the Caecilian order as a group. Stats below are general traits shared across the order.
Also Known As limbless amphibians, legless amphibians, worm-like amphibians, earthworm-like amphibians
Diet Carnivore
Activity Nocturnal+
Lifespan 8 years
Weight 1.5 lbs
Status Not Evaluated
Did You Know?

Caecilians are amphibians (not snakes or worms) and are diagnosed by a pair of sensory tentacles between the eye and nostril.

Scientific Classification

Order Overview "Caecilian" is not a single species but represents an entire order containing multiple species.

Caecilians are a diverse order of mostly subterranean (and some aquatic) limbless amphibians characterized by annulated bodies, reduced eyes, and unique sensory tentacles between the eye and nostril. They are predatory, feeding mainly on soil invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Gymnophiona

Distinguishing Features

  • Limbless, elongated body with ring-like annuli
  • Sensory tentacles on the head used for chemical/mechanical detection
  • Reduced eyes (often covered by skin or bone) in many burrowing forms
  • Strong skull and jaw musculature for fossorial life
  • Reproduction varies: oviparous with aquatic larvae in some; viviparous in others; some show notable parental care (e.g., skin-feeding)

Physical Measurements

Males and females differ in size

Length
♂ 1 ft 2 in (4 in – 4 ft 11 in)
♀ 1 ft 4 in (3 in – 4 ft 11 in)
Weight
♂ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 3 lbs)
♀ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 4 lbs)
Tail Length
♂ Up to 5 in
♀ Up to 2 in
Top Speed
1 mph
Slow; bursts ~0.5–2 km/h
Poisonous

Appearance

Primary Colors
Black Gray Brown Purple Pink
Secondary Colors
Cream Tan Yellow Striped Spotted
Skin Type Caecilians have moist skin with many glands and ring-like annular folds that make them look segmented. Skin is usually smooth and glossy; some species have tiny scales in the skin, others do not.
Distinctive Features
  • Order-level size range (smallest to largest members): approximately ~10 cm to ~150 cm total length; body diameter ranges from pencil-thin in small forms to very stout in large species (varies strongly by family and ecology).
  • Body plan: limbless, elongated, annulated (ringed) body; tail very short or absent in many species, contributing to a "two-ended" look that can confuse predators.
  • Head/skull: compact, often wedge-shaped head with a reinforced skull for burrowing; jaw mechanics and skull shape vary with prey type and habitat (soil vs aquatic).
  • Diagnostic sensory trait: a pair of protrusible chemosensory tentacles positioned between each eye and nostril; used for navigation and prey detection, especially underground or in turbid water.
  • Eyes: generally reduced; in many burrowing species eyes are small and may be covered by skin or bone. Degree of reduction varies across lineages (some retain more visible eyes).
  • Respiration: lung structure varies widely; most have lungs, but at least one lineage is notable for extreme reduction/loss of lungs, reflecting aquatic specialization and cutaneous respiration.
  • Most caecilians are subterranean burrowers in tropical soils or leaf litter; some are aquatic in streams or flooded habitats. They are secretive or nocturnal and come out more during heavy rains.
  • Geographic distribution: almost entirely tropical-found across parts of Central/South America, sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia-often with localized endemism and patchy ranges.
  • Diet: predominantly predatory on soil and leaf-litter invertebrates (earthworms, termites, ants, beetle larvae) with some species taking small vertebrates (e.g., small reptiles/amphibians) depending on size and habitat.
  • Reproduction (diverse within the order): includes egg-laying (often in burrows) and live-bearing lineages. Parental care is present in some species (e.g., guarding eggs/young). In certain taxa, specialized maternal feeding of young occurs (variation across families).
  • Lifespan of caecilians (Gymnophiona) is poorly known in the wild. Estimates vary by species, roughly 4 to over 30 years, based on captive records and limited field data.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism exists but is often subtle and variable across caecilian families. Differences may involve overall size, head proportions, and cloacal/vent morphology; reliable sexing often requires close inspection or internal examination. Many species show limited external dimorphism compared with many other amphibians.

♂
  • Presence of an intromittent organ (phallodeum) used in internal fertilization (not externally obvious without examination, but a key reproductive dimorphism).
  • In some taxa, males may show proportionally different head/neck robustness or slightly different vent/cloacal morphology compared with females (degree varies).
♀
  • Females are often the larger sex in some species (size dimorphism varies and is not universal).
  • In species with intensive parental care or specialized maternal provisioning, females may show condition/seasonal body shape changes associated with reproduction (gravid swelling), though external cues can be minimal outside breeding periods.

Did You Know?

Caecilians are amphibians (not snakes or worms) and are diagnosed by a pair of sensory tentacles between the eye and nostril.

Across the order, adults range from ~7 cm to about 1.5 m long, from threadlike burrowers to thick-bodied giants.

Many species have tiny, skin-covered eyes; some still detect light, while others rely more on chemical and vibration cues.

Unlike most amphibians, all caecilians use internal fertilization via a male intromittent organ (phallodeum).

Reproduction is highly diverse: some lay eggs on land (often guarded), while many are live-bearers that nourish embryos inside the oviduct.

In several lineages, mothers provide food after hatching/birth-young scrape and eat the mother's specially thickened, lipid-rich skin (maternal dermatophagy).

Some caecilians have embedded dermal scales under the skin-an unusual trait among modern amphibians.

Unique Adaptations

  • Sensory tentacles: A distinctive, movable pair of chemosensory tentacles (unique among amphibians) used to sample chemicals in soil or water-crucial for navigation and prey detection.
  • Annulated body plan: Ring-like grooves (annuli) give a segmented appearance; this helps flexibility and traction during burrowing, though annuli number and prominence vary by species.
  • Reinforced burrowing skull: Many have a compact, heavily ossified skull and powerful jaw muscles adapted for head-first tunneling and seizing slippery prey underground.
  • Reduced eyes and protective skin: Eyes are often tiny and sometimes covered by skin or bone, reducing damage in abrasive soil; light sensitivity can still be retained in some species.
  • Internal fertilization (order-wide): Males use a phallodeum; this enables reproduction away from open water and supports both terrestrial egg-laying and live-bearing strategies.
  • Hidden dermal scales (in many taxa): Small, embedded scales occur in skin pockets in several groups-rare among living amphibians-and may add support or protection during burrowing.
  • Chemical defenses and mucus: Skin glands can produce copious mucus and, in some species, noxious secretions that deter predators and reduce abrasion in tight tunnels.
  • Respiratory specializations: Many species have an asymmetrical lung system with one lung reduced, a common space-saving adaptation in elongated, limbless vertebrates.

Interesting Behaviors

  • Fossorial hunting: Many species spend most of life underground, pushing through soil and leaf litter and ambushing prey in tight burrows; others are more surface-active after heavy rains.
  • Aquatic lifestyles: Some lineages (notably in South America) are largely or fully aquatic, swimming with eel-like undulations and using aquatic refuges rather than soil burrows.
  • Diet flexibility with a shared theme: Most are predators of soil invertebrates (earthworms, termites, ants, beetle larvae), but larger species may take small vertebrates (e.g., small snakes, lizards, frogs) when available.
  • Parental care varies widely: In multiple species, females coil around and guard eggs, keeping them moist and defended; in others, young are nourished post-hatching by skin-feeding or by uterine secretions/linings in live-bearers.
  • Seasonal timing: Activity and breeding often track rainfall and soil moisture; many encounters happen during monsoons or after storms when individuals surface or move between burrows.
  • Burrow sharing and family grouping (in some species): Observations include mothers staying with broods for extended periods, though many species remain poorly studied due to secretive habits.
  • Sensory-led foraging: Tentacle "tapping" and head-sweeping movements help track chemical cues in dark tunnels; reliance on sight versus chemical/vibration cues differs among burrowing and aquatic forms.

Cultural Significance

Caecilians (Gymnophiona) are hidden, worm- or snake-like amphibians often called “blind” or “earth-snake.” They appear after heavy rains, link to fertile soil and hidden life, and point to unknown tropical biodiversity, new species, and odd parenting.

Myths & Legends

Name-story (classical): The word "caecilian" comes from a Latin word meaning "blind," echoing an old human impression-common in early writings-that these animals were blind, snake-like creatures of the soil.

In many tropical places, especially parts of South and Southeast Asia, caecilians (Gymnophiona) are called "earth snake" or "blind snake" because people group them by shape and underground ways, not scientific class.

Caecilians often come up when heavy rain or very wet ground makes them surface. People sometimes see them as animals of monsoon-soaked earth, signs of wet-season soils and hidden life.

Early European naturalists often mistook caecilians for snakes or worms in travel reports and collections. Later they were known as a distinct amphibian group and joined rainforest exploration lore.

Conservation Status

NE Not Evaluated (IUCN does not assign a single Red List category to the entire order; assessments are done at the species level)

Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Population Unknown

Looking for a specific species?

Ringed caecilian

Siphonops annulatus

Often one of the most-cited and widely illustrated 'typical' caecilians in general references, representing the common public image of a terrestrial, annulated, burrowing caecilian.

  • Order-wide size range: roughly ~7-160 cm total length (smallest known caecilians to the largest Caeciliidae); most species are much smaller than the maximum, and many remain poorly measured.
  • Order-wide longevity: commonly reported around ~5-15+ years in captivity for some species, with potential to exceed ~20 years in a few cases; lifespan is unknown for many wild populations.
  • Behavior/ecology generalization: most species are fossorial (subterranean) in tropical soils/leaf litter; some lineages are aquatic or semi-aquatic. Eyes are typically reduced and many rely heavily on chemosensation via unique retractile tentacles between eye and nostril.
  • Reproduction varies widely across Gymnophiona: egg-laying with aquatic larvae, egg-laying with direct development, and live-bearing (viviparity) all occur; levels of parental care range from minimal to extensive (including skin-feeding/dermatophagy in some taxa).
  • Diet generalization: primarily predatory on soil and leaf-litter invertebrates (earthworms, termites, ants, insect larvae) with occasional small vertebrates; prey choice and hunting strategy vary by habitat (subterranean vs aquatic) and skull/jaw specialization.

You might be looking for:

Ringed caecilian

22%

Siphonops annulatus

A widespread South American caecilian with conspicuous annular rings; often used as a representative caecilian species.

Typhlonectes natans (Rubber eel / aquatic caecilian)

18%

Typhlonectes natans

An aquatic South American caecilian sometimes kept in captivity; fully adapted to water.

Thompson’s caecilian

12%

Caecilia thompsoni

A very large caecilian from Colombia; among the largest known species in the group.

Boulengerula taitanus (Taita African caecilian)

12%

Boulengerula taitanus

An East African caecilian notable for maternal dermatotrophy (young feeding on the mother’s skin).

Ichthyophis glutinosus (Sri Lankan caecilian)

10%

Ichthyophis glutinosus

A well-known Asian caecilian; representative of the oviparous, often surface-active Ichthyophiidae.

Life Cycle

Birth 20 hatchlings
Lifespan 8 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
2–20 years
In Captivity
5–25 years

Reproduction

Mating System Data Deficient
Social Structure Solitary
Breeding Pattern Transient
Fertilization Internal Fertilization
Birth Type Internal_fertilization

Caecilians (Gymnophiona) are mostly secretive, burrowing, and solitary. They meet briefly to mate; males use a phallodeum for internal fertilization. Breeding is often seasonal. Species may be oviparous or viviparous; mothers usually guard or feed young (dermatotrophy).

Behavior & Ecology

Social No set group name Group: 1
Activity Nocturnal, Crepuscular, Cathemeral
Diet Carnivore Earthworms (where available)
Seasonal Hibernates

Temperament

Secretive and avoidance-oriented; spends much of life concealed underground or in water
Generally non-social and non-territorial in an obvious sense, with encounters often brief
Defensive when handled or threatened: may bite, thrash, and produce slippery/toxic skin secretions
Predatory and opportunistic toward prey; uses powerful body and jaw movements for restraint and swallowing
Variation across the order: aquatic species may be more frequently active in open water and show different escape/defense strategies than strictly fossorial species

Communication

rare or minimal airborne calling across the order; most species are not known for prominent vocal displays
in some taxa, sounds such as faint squeaks/clicks or low-intensity noises may occur during disturbance or underwater interactions, but acoustic signaling is not a dominant communication mode overall
chemical communication: heavy reliance on chemosensory cues detected via the tentacles and olfaction for locating prey, identifying conspecifics, and reproductive state recognition
tactile contact during courtship/mating and during maternal care (where present), including close body contact and nudging
substrate-borne vibrations and pressure cues in burrows/soil that can inform about nearby movement Likely important given low visibility
possible use of skin secretions as both defense and chemical signaling; composition and roles vary among lineages

Habitat

Rainforest Forest Deciduous Forest Woodland Savanna Grassland Wetland Swamp Marsh River/Stream Lake Pond Mangrove Agricultural/Farmland Plantation Suburban Urban +11
Biomes:
Tropical Rainforest Tropical Dry Forest Savanna Temperate Forest Freshwater Wetland
Terrain:
Mountainous Hilly Plateau Plains Valley Riverine Coastal Island Karst Rocky Muddy +5
Elevation: Up to 9842 ft 6 in

Ecological Role

Mesopredators in subterranean and leaf-litter food webs (and locally aquatic predators in wetter/aquatic habitats), linking soil/aquatic invertebrate production to higher trophic levels.

Regulation of soil invertebrate populations (including potential pest taxa such as termites and some beetle larvae) Support of soil and leaf-litter food webs via predation and energy transfer Indirect contributions to soil processes through burrowing-associated mixing/aeration while foraging Serving as prey for higher-level predators (e.g., snakes, birds, mammals, larger amphibians) in ecosystems where they occur

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Earthworm Termites Ant Beetles and beetle larvae Cockroaches and other soil arthropods Centipedes and Millipedes Spider Snails and slugs Small invertebrates in soil/leaf litter Small amphibians Small reptiles Small fish and aquatic invertebrates +6

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

Gymnophiona (caecilians) are not domesticated and remain wild. A few are kept short-term in research, education, or rare aquarium trade. People meet them rarely, during farming, logging, digging, or surveys, and sometimes use them as bait or food. Main threats are habitat loss and soil damage, while many populations are poorly known.

Danger Level

Low
  • Bites when handled (generally minor but can break skin)
  • Skin mucus/secretions may cause irritation to eyes/mucous membranes in sensitive individuals; wash hands after contact
  • General amphibian-associated hygiene risks (e.g., potential Salmonella exposure from handling animals or enclosures)
  • Handling stress can harm the animal; defensive struggling can lead to accidental minor scratches/contamination

As a Pet

Not Suitable as Pet

Legality: Legality for Caecilians (Gymnophiona) varies by country or state. They may not be listed as pets but collecting, owning, or moving them can need wildlife permits; some species or trade may be restricted. Check local laws.

Care Level: Expert Only

Purchase Cost: Up to $300
Lifetime Cost: $500 - $5,000

Economic Value

Uses:
Ecosystem services (soil predator contributing to invertebrate population control and soil food-web function) Scientific and educational value (research on fossorial life, sensory biology, reproductive diversity, amphibian evolution) Limited local subsistence use in some areas (food/bait) Very small niche aquarium/pet trade (mostly aquatic/semi-aquatic forms)
Products:
  • No major commercial products; occasional live animal sales in niche trade
  • Non-market value via ecosystem function and research/education

Relationships

Predators 5

Coral snakes
Coral snakes Micrurus
Lancehead pit viper Bothrops
Herons and egrets
Herons and egrets Ardeidae
Mongoose
Mongoose Herpestidae
Large predatory fish Hoplias malabaricus

Related Species 7

Ringed caecilian Siphonops annulatus Shared Family
Aquatic caecilian Typhlonectes natans Shared Family
Sri Lankan caecilian Ichthyophis glutinosus Shared Family
Taita African caecilian Boulengerula taitanus Shared Family
Two-lined caecilian Rhinatrema bivittatum Shared Family
Thompson's caecilian Caecilia thompsoni Shared Family
Kirby's caecilian Scolecomorphus kirkii Shared Family

Ecological Equivalents 5

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Worm lizards Amphisbaenia Share a subterranean, burrowing lifestyle and elongated bodies. They are predators of soil invertebrates, have reduced vision, and possess reinforced skulls for digging. They are reptiles rather than amphibians.
Blind snake
Blind snake Typhlopidae Small, fossorial predators that tunnel through soil and leaf litter and feed heavily on ants and termites; niche overlap is common in tropical soils.
Earthworm
Earthworm Not predators, but a key soil-burrower functional analog and a common prey item. Caecilian movement and hunting often track microhabitats rich in earthworms.
Eel-like aquatic salamanders Sirenidae In aquatic habitats, some caecilians (e.g., typhlonectids) overlap with eel-like salamanders: both are elongate amphibians that hunt aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates. Their body form converges, although sirens retain forelimbs.
Aquatic snakes Natricinae In streams, swamps, and flooded forests, aquatic caecilians and aquatic snakes overlap as slender aquatic predators, sharing diet (fish, amphibians, and invertebrates) and habitat structure despite major anatomical differences.

Types of Caecilian

12

Explore 12 recognized types of caecilian

Ringed caecilian Siphonops annulatus
Aquatic caecilian / rubber eel Typhlonectes natans
Sri Lankan caecilian Ichthyophis glutinosus
Taita African caecilian Boulengerula taitanus
Two-lined caecilian Rhinatrema bivittatum
Thompson's caecilian Caecilia thompsoni
Kirby's caecilian Scolecomorphus kirkii
Mexican burrowing caecilian Dermophis mexicanus
Grandison's caecilian Hypogeophis rostratus
Purple caecilian Gegeneophis ramaswamii
Aquatic caecilian Potomotyphlus kaupii
Black caecilian Microcaecilia unicolor

“There are 192 species around the world, ranging in size from 3 inches to 5 feet long!”

Caecilians are smooth-skinned, limbless amphibians that range in size from three inches to five feet long. Some of the 192 species native to wet and tropical regions look like earthworms and other larger species look like snakes. Some have short tails while others have none at all. Although the amphibians are not native to the Americas beyond southern Mexico, one was found alive in a canal in South Florida in 2021. It was most likely transported to the state and illegally introduced as part of the wildlife trade. Otherwise, different species are found in South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, India, Central America, and Seychelles. Most species live underground, burrowing where they do not need to hear or see and thus have no visible ears and only tiny or hidden eyes beneath their skin.

5 Incredible Caecilian Facts!

  • Some have eyes beneath their skin while others have no eyes at all
  • The only amphibians with tentacles
  • The many different species make up a rainbow of colors
  • Their hard skulls with pointy snouts enable them to burrow underground
  • Babies peel off and eat their mother’s skin

Scientific Name

close up of a Caecilian

The name Caecilian comes from the latin word for “blind ones.”

©RealityImages/Shutterstock.com

These amphibians get their name from the Latin word that means blind, caecus. All modern and extinct species fall under the scientific name and order Gymnophiona. But there is still much debate among scientists about this name with many claiming the creatures should fall under the scientific name Apoda, meaning “without feet.” Only nine families and under 200 species were known to exist until after 2011 when a 10th family called Chikilidae was discovered.

Families of caecilians include:

  • Rhinatrematidae
  • Ichthyophiidae
  • Scolecomorphidae
  • Herpelidae
  • Chikilidae
  • Caeciliidae
  • Typhlonectidae
  • Indotyphlidae
  • Siphonopidae
  • Dermophiidae

Appearance & Behavior

Caecilian on moss covered rock

Caecilians have no arms or legs, and thus greatly resemble worms and snakes despite not being related to either.

©RealityImages/Shutterstock.com

Caecilians have no limbs and look much like worms or snakes, depending on the species size. Their size ranges from the smallest at three inches to the biggest at almost five feet long. They either have a short tail or none at all. Their slippery smooth skin ranges in color according to species, as well. Most are brown, gray, black, orange, or yellow, but some are more colorful.

Their skin covers calcite scales except for the species of the Scolecomorphidae and Typhlonectidae families. The Typhlonectes compressicauda of the Typhlonectidae family is the only exception to that rule with scales on the lower region of its body. Caecilians appear segmented because of ring-shaped folds appearing on their bodies. They also have glands in their skin that secretes toxins to ward off predators. Some are believed to have venomous bites like snakes, too. They have many sharp teeth that work like fangs to help them catch their prey and swallow it whole.

One of the most obvious traits of caecilians is their lack of eyes or the presence of only gray eye-like dots beneath their skin. They only can distinguish between dark and light and cannot otherwise see. Because they spend most of their time burrowing underground, they do not need vision.

Other adaptations for their burrowing lifestyle include a hard skull with a pointed snout and recessed mouth that enable them to force through dirt or mud more easily. The worm-like creatures also have strong muscles able to push through the ground. They can swim in water like an eel but must come to the surface to breathe. Some large species are aquatic, having a fin along the rear of their bodies.

All caecilians have two tentacles located above their nostrils and beneath their eyes. These are used to sense their environment in combination with the nasal sense of smell. They are the only amphibians with tentacles. Although most have internal ears hidden under their skin, scientists believe they may be able to sense vibrations. Species in the family Scolecomorphidae are the only amphibians that do not have any parts of the middle ear.

Except for one species, all caecilians have lungs. But they can also use their skin to absorb oxygen. Like snakes, many species have one lung that is smaller than the other because of their body shape.

Scientists know little about how these creatures live, their needs, or their temperament. It is not clear how they relate to each other or whether they live exclusively solitary lives.

Habitat

Of the hundreds of species of caecilians, most live underground where they burrow, have their young, and hunt for prey. Some venture into shallow streams of their mostly wet and tropical habitats. They are native to Central America, South America, South Africa, Central Africa, South Asia, and Southeastern Asia. People rarely see them in the wild because they live underground. But one species from Ecuador, the giant Caecilia pachynema, comes to the surface during rainstorms and at night. Some can hold their breath underwater for up to 30 minutes before returning to the surface for air.

Predators & Threats

Caecilian on piece of wood

Caecilians are the only amphibians that possess two jaw muscles.

©iStock.com/ePhotocorp

Caecilians use their rows of sharp fangs to capture their prey. They have been observed clamping down onto earthworms and rolling like a rolling pin in the dirt underground to stun and drag the worm into their lair. They swallow their prey whole like a python instead of chewing the food up into bits. Researchers believe that some species have venom glands behind some teeth like rattlesnakes. This may also help them subdue their prey. They also are the only amphibians to have two sets of jaw muscles, making their jaws and mouths very strong.

What does the caecilian eat?

Animals That Spit Acid

Termites are one of the caecilian’s favorite snacks.

©PK289/Shutterstock.com

Scientists do not yet know what most caecilians eat. But they have witnessed captive species eating earthworms, crickets, and termites. In captured specimens, they have found bits of termites, earthworms, beetle pupae, mollusks, small snakes, frogs, lizards, small fish, larvae, insects, other invertebrates, and other caecilians in their stomachs.

What eats the caecilian?

Close up portrait of big male Sus scrofa Wild boar in autumn beech forest coming directly to camera. Colorful fallen orange leaves on the ground,blurred trees in background. European lowland forest.

Wild boars are exceptional at finding meals underground, and caecilians are no exception.

©Martin Mecnarowski/Shutterstock.com

Some of these amphibians’ predators include snakes, fish, chickens, pigs, and tenrecs. But because these creatures spend most of their lives underground and many species are newly discovered, scientists do not yet know more about their natural predators. Some species’ skin secretes toxins to make them unpalatable to predators.

Although there are at least 219 known species of caecilians, the IUCN Red List only tracks about 185 species now. Of these, the vast majority are listed with an Unknown status. Less than 10 species are listed as Stable and 13 are Decreasing in numbers. Of those tracked by the IUCN, three are Near Threatened, four are Vulnerable, ten are listed as Endangered and one, the Mount Oku Caecilian of Cameroon, is Critically Endangered. The biggest threat to these creatures is the loss of habitat due to non-timber agriculture and fire.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

isolated caecilian

The caecilian reproductive cycle is quite unique among the animal kingdom.

©iStock.com/ePhotocorp

The reproduction and baby-rearing of caecilians are very interesting. All species of these amphibians reproduce using internal insemination. The male has a long, tube-like phallodeum used to impregnate the female. Each reproductive connection takes two to three hours before the mates separate. About one-quarter of the species are known to lay their eggs in underground dens or water. The other 75% have babies through live birth. After birth or hatching, the young of some species stay with their mother for four to six weeks.

One of the most interesting things about their reproduction and birth is how some mothers feed their young. The mothers grow thickened layers of skin. The young use hook-like or scraper-like fangs to pull at this skin, tear it away and eat it. Scientists have discovered evidence of this feeding taking place when the young of some species are still inside the mother’s womb. This activity does not harm or hurt the mother. Her skin cells are plumped up with fat during this phase, specifically to feed her young.

Some species have been seen to give birth to two to 25 live young. Others lay between 30 and 60 eggs.

Caecilians in zoos have lived for as long as 13 years. But their lifespan in the wild is not known. It is expected to vary widely by species.

Evolution

The evolutionary history of the caecilian remains shrouded in mystery for scientists. The first fossilized specimen of this creature was not found until 1972, and more fossils were not found until the 2000s. Some of these more recent discoveries unveiled that early caecilian ancestors possessed small limbs, and better-seeing eyes than their modern counterparts. This additionally led biologists to suspect that caecilians could have evolved from amniotes, a factor that their unusual reproductive traits for amphibian standards would reinforce. More theories and fossils are coming forward all the time, and scientists’ conceptions of the origins of caecilians are constantly being brought into question as more evidence arises.

Population

Of the 200+ species, the IUCN presently lists, the majority are not tracked or are listed as Least Concern or Data Deficient. But 13 species are listed as decreasing in numbers. Ten are listed as stable, three are Near Threatened, four are Vulnerable, ten are Endangered and one is Critically Endangered. That critically endangered species is the Mount Oku Caecilian of Cameroon, Africa.

Types of Caecilians

caecilian on flat rock

There are over 200 different types of Caecilians.

©Manfred Ruckszio/Shutterstock.com

Common Caecilians

  • Caecilia abitaguae
  • Caecilia albiventris
  • Caecilia antioquiaensis
  • Caecilia aprix
  • Caecilia armata
  • Caecilia atelolepis
  • Caecilia attenuata
  • Caecilia bokermanni
  • Caecilia caribea
  • Caecilia corpulenta
  • Caecilia crassisquama
  • Caecilia degenerata
  • Caecilia disossea
  • Caecilia dunni
  • Caecilia epicrionopsoides
  • Caecilia flavopunctata
  • Caecilia goweri
  • Caecilia gracilis
  • Caecilia guntheri
  • Caecilia inca
  • Caecilia isthmica
  • Caecilia leucocephala
  • Caecilia macrodonta
  • Caecilia marcusi
  • Caecilia mertensi
  • Caecilia museugoeldi
  • Caecilia nigricans
  • Caecilia occidentalis
  • Caecilia orientalis
  • Caecilia pachynema
  • Caecilia perdita
  • Caecilia pressula
  • Caecilia pulchraserrana
  • Caecilia subdermalis
  • Caecilia subnigricans
  • Caecilia subterminalis
  • Caecilia tentaculata
  • Caecilia tenuissima
  • Caecilia thompsoni
  • Caecilia volcani

South American Caecilians

  • Oscaecilia bassleri
  • Oscaecilia elongata
  • Oscaecilia equatorialis
  • Oscaecilia hypereumeces
  • Oscaecilia koepckeorum
  • Oscaecilia ochrocephala
  • Oscaecilia osae
  • Oscaecilia polyzona
  • Oscaecilia zweifeli

Northeast Indian Caecilians

  • Chikila fulleri

Neotropical Caecilians

  • Dermophis costaricense
  • Dermophis glandulosus
  • Dermophis gracilior
  • Dermophis mexicanus
  • Dermophis oaxacae
  • Dermophis occidentalis
  • Dermophis parviceps
  • Geotrypetes angeli
  • Geotrypetes pseudoangeli
  • Geotrypetes seraphini
  • Gymnopis multiplicata
  • Gymnopis syntrema
  • Schistometopum ephele
  • Schistometopum gregorii
  • Schistometopum thomense

Indo-African Caecilians

  • Gegeneophis carnosus
  • Gegeneophis danieli
  • Gegeneophis goaensis
  • Gegeneophis krishni
  • Gegeneophis madhavai
  • Gegeniophis mhadeiensis
  • Gegeneophis orientalis
  • Gegeneophis pareshi
  • Gegeneophis primus
  • Gegeneophis ramaswamii
  • Gegeneophis seshachari
  • Gegeneophis tejaswini
  • Grandisonia alternans
  • Grandisonia larvata
  • Grandisonia sechellensis
  • Hypogeophis brevis
  • Hypogeophis montanus
  • Hypogeophis pti
  • Hypogeophis rostratus
  • Idiocranium russeli
  • Indotyphlus battersbyi
  • Indotyphlus maharashtraensis
  • Praslinia cooperi
  • Sylvacaecilia grandisonae

African Caecilians

  • Boulengerula boulengeri
  • Boulengerula changamwensis
  • Boulengerula denhardti
  • Boulengerula fischeri
  • Boulengerula niedeni
  • Boulengerula spawlsi
  • Boulengerula taitana
  • Boulengerula uluguruensis
  • Herpele multiplicata
  • Herpele squalostoma

Asian Tailed Caecilians

  • Ichthyophis acuminatus
  • Ichthyophis alfredi
  • Ichthyophis asplenius
  • Ichthyophis atricollaris
  • Ichthyophis beddomei
  • Ichthyophis bernisi
  • Ichthyophis biangularis
  • Ichthyophis billitonensis
  • Ichthyophis bombayensis
  • Ichthyophis cardamomensis
  • Ichthyophis catlocensis
  • Ichthyophis chaloensis
  • Ichthyophis daribokensis
  • Ichthyophis davidi
  • Ichthyophis dulitensis
  • Ichthyophis elongatus
  • Ichthyophis garoensis
  • Ichthyophis glandulosus
  • Ichthyophis glutinosus
  • Ichthyophis humphreyi
  • Ichthyophis hypocyaneus
  • Ichthyophis javanicus
  • Ichthyophis khumhzi
  • Ichthyophis kodaguensis
  • Ichthyophis kohtaoensis
  • Ichthyophis lakimi
  • Ichthyophis laosensis
  • Ichthyophis larutensis
  • Ichthyophis longicephalus
  • Ichthyophis mindanaoensis
  • Ichthyophis monochrous
  • Ichthyophis moustakius
  • Ichthyophis multicolor
  • Ichthyophis nguyenorum
  • Ichthyophis nigroflavus
  • Ichthyophis nokrekensis
  • Ichthyophis orthoplicatus
  • Ichthyophis paucidentulus
  • Ichthyophis paucisulcus
  • Ichthyophis pauli
  • Ichthyophis pseudangularis
  • Ichthyophis sendenyu
  • Ichthyophis sikkimensis
  • Ichthyophis singaporensis
  • Ichthyophis sumatranus
  • Ichthyophis supachaii
  • Ichthyophis tricolor
  • Ichthyophis weberi
  • Ichthyophis youngorum
  • Uraeotyphlus gansi
  • Uraeotyphlus interruptus
  • Uraeotyphlus malabaricus
  • Uraeotyphlus menoni
  • Uraeotyphlus narayani
  • Uraeotyphlus oommeni
  • Uraeotyphlus oxyurus

American Tailed Caecilians

  • Amazops amazops
  • Epicrionops bicolor
  • Epicrionops columbianus
  • Epicrionops lativittatus
  • Epicrionops marmoratus
  • Epicrionops parkeri
  • Epicrionops peruvianus
  • Epicrionops petersi
  • Rhinatrema bivittatum
  • Rhinatrema gilbertogili
  • Rhinatrema nigrum
  • Rhinatrema ron
  • Rhinatrema shiv
  • Rhinatrema uaiuai

Buried-eyed Caecilians

  • Crotaphatrema bornmuelleri
  • Crotaphatrema lamottei
  • Crotaphatrema tchabalmbaboensis
  • Scolecomorphus kirkii
  • Scolecomorphus uluguruensis
  • Scolecomorphus vittatus

South American Caecilians

  • Brasilotyphlus braziliensis
  • Brasilotyphlus dubium
  • Brasilotyphlus guarantanus
  • Luetkenotyphlus brasiliensis
  • Luetkenotyphlus fredi
  • Luetkenotyphlus insulanus
  • Microcaecilia albiceps
  • Microcaecilia butantan
  • Microcaecilia dermatophaga
  • Microcaecilia grandis
  • Microcaecilia iwokramae
  • Microcaecilia iyob
  • Microcaecilia marvaleewakeae
  • Microcaecilia nicefori
  • Microcaecilia pricei
  • Microcaecilia rabei
  • Microcaecilia rochai
  • Microcaecilia savagei
  • Microcaecilia supernumeraria
  • Microcaecilia taylori
  • Microcaecilia trombetas
  • Microcaecilia unicolor
  • Mimosiphonops reinhardti
  • Mimosiphonops vermiculatus
  • Siphonops annulatus
  • Siphonops hardyi
  • Siphonops leucoderus
  • Siphonops paulensis

Aquatic Caecilians

  • Atretochoana eiselti
  • Chthonerpeton arii
  • Chthonerpeton braestrupi
  • Chthonerpeton exile
  • Chthonerpeton indistinctum
  • Chthonerpeton noctinectes
  • Chthonerpeton onorei
  • Chthonerpeton perissodus
  • Chthonerpeton viviparum
  • Nectocaecilia petersii 
  • Potamotyphlus kaupii
  • Typhlonectes compressicauda
  • Typhlonectes natans
View all 395 animals that start with C

Sources

  1. San Diego Zoo / Accessed November 15, 2021
  2. Wikipedia / Accessed November 15, 2021
  3. National Geographic / Accessed November 15, 2021
  4. ScienceNewsforStudents / Accessed November 15, 2021
  5. Florida Museum / Accessed November 15, 2021
  6. Smithsonian's National Zoo / Accessed November 15, 2021
  7. WIRED / Accessed November 15, 2021
  8. San Francisco Zoo / Accessed November 15, 2021
  9. vertebrate diversity / Accessed November 15, 2021
  10. ScienceNews / Accessed November 15, 2021
  11. ScienceDirect / Accessed November 15, 2021
  12. ThoughtCo.com / Accessed November 15, 2021
  13. IUCN https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=caecilian&searchType=species Jump to top / Accessed November 15, 2021
Corinna Cybele

About the Author

Corinna Cybele

My name is Corinna! In my profile photo you can see me with one of my two cats, Bisky! The other's name is Yma and she's a beautiful black Bombay kitty. I'm 24 years old and I live in Birmingham, AL with my partner Anastasia and like to spend my free time making music, collecting records and reading. Some other animals I've owned were a hamster, 2 chihuahuas and many different kinds of fish.

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Caecilian FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

These creatures are carnivores. Their diet consists mostly of earthworms, small fish, termites, insects, and other invertebrates.

View Caecilian Photos