Typhlonectes compressicauda

(Duméril & Bibron, 1841)

Vernacular names
English : Cayenne caecilian
French : Typhlonecte à queue comprimée

Classification
Class : Amphibia
Order : Gymnophiona
Family : Typhlonectidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a total length of 55 cm. Eel-like body with rather small head and very small eyes. Body surface very smooth with transverse folds giving segmented appearance. Coloration olive-grey with clearer belly.

Range and habitat
The species is found in South America, from south Venezuela, Guianas and east Peru to most of Central Brazil. This is probably a species complex. Lives in permanent rivers and marshes in lowland forests areas, to 200 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a large range and so far remains fairly common. It can withstand important habitat degradation, including pollution of water.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Salamanders, Newts and Caecilians” page