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Asian Tailed Caecilians: Ichthyophiidae

Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Ceylon Caecilian (ichthyophis Glutinosus): Species AccountGEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, ASIAN TAILED CAECILIANS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS



CEYLON CAECILIAN (Ichthyophis glutinosus): SPECIES ACCOUNT

Asian tailed caecilians live in India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, southern China, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Malay Archipelago west of Wallace's line.

Asian tailed caecilians live in leaf litter and soil in tropical rainforests. Many species do well, however, in areas that have been cleared of trees for farming.


Little is known about the feeding habits of Asian tailed caecilians. Scientists have opened up these animals and found large amounts of soil, which is evidence that an animal eats earthworms. The scientists also have found partially digested earthworms and pieces of insects inside caecilians. In captivity Asian tailed caecilians are fed earthworms, crickets, and even strips of beef, fish, and chicken.




Asian tailed caecilians have no known importance to people.


The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists two species of Asian tailed caecilians as Vulnerable, or facing high risk of extinction in the wild.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceAmphibians