Caecilian

Caecilians are a group of limbless, burrowing amphibians in the order Gymnophiona, also known as caecilians or apodans. They occur mainly in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where they inhabit moist soil, leaf litter, and underground burrows. They range from a few centimeters to more than a meter in length, with worm- or snake-like bodies marked by ring-like annuli. Eyes are generally small or covered by skin, and many species possess a paired, tentacle-like organ on the snout used to detect chemical cues.

Caecilians are predominantly fossorial predators, feeding on small invertebrates such as insects and earthworms. Their skulls and bodies are adapted for burrowing, and many species spend most of their lives underground. Reproduction is diverse: some caecilians lay eggs, others are viviparous. In many viviparous species, the young feed on secretions from the mother’s uterus (uterine milk) or form a placenta-like connection, providing nourishment during development. Aquatic or semi-aquatic larvae occur in some species.

Taxonomy places caecilians into several families, including Ichthyophiidae, Rhinatrematidae, Caeciliidae, and Siphonopidae, with numerous genera and species described. The group is ancient, with a fossil record that contributes to understanding amphibian evolution, though many species remain poorly known and little studied.

Conservation status varies by species; habitat destruction, pollution, and disturbance of soil and leaf litter threaten many caecilians. Because most taxa are cryptic and remote, data are limited for many populations, hindering comprehensive assessments.