Ryan Photographic - Typhlonectidae - Caecilians

Family Typhlonectidae

There are 14 species of typhlonectids in five genera. They range in length from 14-75 cm. Members of the family are all aquatic or semi-aquatic. Females give birth to live young which rapidly lose their gills. The largest member of the genus has the unusual distinction of being the largest extant lungless tetrapod (Amphibiaweb).

The family is distributed in northern South America.

Typhlonectes natans Rubber eel, Rio Cauca caecilian

Typhlonectes natans Rubber eel, Rio Cauca caecilian, captive.

Typhlonectes natans Caecilian, lateral

Amphibians

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