Aquatic Caecilian
Typhlonectes natans (Fischer, 1880)
Range: Northern South America (Colombia, Northern Venezuela)
Habitat: Flooded Grasslands, Wetlands, Rivers
Diet: Insects, Spiders, Earthworms
Social Grouping: Semi-Social
Reproduction: Viviparous. Fetal offspring are nurtured on secretions from the walls of their mother's oviducts. Gestation period is 6-7 months. 2-11 young are born per litter.
Lifespan: 5 Years
Conservation Status: IUCN Least Concern
- Limbless body is 45-55 centimeters long when fully grown. Smooth skin is dark-gray to black in color. Laterally flattened body ends in a small tail fin
- The eyes are tiny and vision is believed to be poor (the name "caecilian" is derived from the Latin for "blind"). Sense their environment using a small chemosensory organ on the back of the head
- Sold in pet stores under the trade name of "rubber eel", often presented as a fish
- The species is relatively common. It faces some collection pressure for the pet trade, but still has abundant habitat remaining and is tolerant of habitat disturbance and pollution
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