Aquatic Caecilians Typhlonectes spp.

Rio Cauca Caecilian Rio Cauca Caecilian: (Typhlonectes natans)
Cayenne Caecilian Cayenne Caecilian: (Typhlonectes compressicauda)
Caecilians are limbless amphibians that live mainly underground; some species (Typhlonectes) are entirely acquatic. They have worm-like, segmented bodies and most are native to tropical regions.
Rio Cauda Caecilian
Typhlonectes natans
Rio Cauda Caecilian
Aquatic Caecilians live in freshwater and have a small fin along their back. The Rio Cauda Caecilian, Typhlonectes natans, above, is grey and can grow to some 50cm. It is native to rivers of northern and western Colombia and Venezuela.
Rio Cauda Caecilian Blue-grey
Typhlonectes natans Girth compared to human finger.
Rio Cauda Caecilian Segmented like worms.
Rio Cauda Caecilian The pointed snout is aquadynamic and used to shovel in mud/sand.
Typhlonectes natans They have eyes but vision is poor to non-existent. They may detect light and dark.
Rio Cauda Caecilian The face has small sensors and the mouth has small, sharp teeth to grip earthworms and insects.
Cayenne Caecilian
Typhlonectes compressicauda
Cayenne Caecilian
The Cayenne Caecilian, Typhlonectes compressicauda, above, can also grow to some 50cm and is native to rivers of the Amazon Basin and northwestern South America.
Typhlonectes natans
Caecilian comming up for air
Knot of Rio Cauca Caecilians - feeding frenzy
Coming up for air. As an amphibian, only the young have gills. The adult can take oxygen through its skin and mouth but does occasionally breathe air into its lungs.
Rio Cauca Caecilian with young Feeding frenzy knot.
Rio Cauca Caecilian with young They give birth to live young.