Red caecilian

Uraeotyphlus oxyurus

TAXONOMY

Caecilia oxyura Duméril and Bibron, 1841, Côte du Malabar.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

This relatively stout-bodied species ranges in size from 7.3 to 11.9 in (185 to 303 mm) in total length. It is nearly uniformly dark bluish gray and slightly paler below. The common name is a misnomer, because there is no red coloration. There are 98–107 primary annuli and 89–104 secondary annuli. Nearly all of the primary annuli are subdivided by secondary annuli, except occasionally the most anterior one or two primaries. Numerous scales are present in the annular folds.

DISTRIBUTION

The species ranges across Taliparamba, Wynaad, Tinnivelly, Allur near Trichur, and Anamallai Hills in Kerala, India.

HABITAT

These caecilians inhabit the rainforest belt and are found in moist soil and forest floor litter in and adjacent to forest.

BEHAVIOR

Their behavior is unknown, but presumably they are burrowers.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

The diet is not known, but earthworm and insect remains have been found in the guts of museum specimens. Larvae also contain insect remains.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

The reproductive habits of these caecilians are largely un-known, but the species has functional (feeding) larvae that metamorphose at about 3.5 in (90 mm) in total length.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

None known.