Congo caecilian
A species of Herpele Scientific name : Herpele squalostoma Genus : Herpele
Congo caecilian, A species of Herpele
Scientific name: Herpele squalostoma
Genus: Herpele
Content
Description General Info
Photo By David J. Gower (The Natural History Museum, London) , used under CC-BY-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Herpele squalostoma is a species of amphibian in the Herpelidae family. It is also known by the common name Congo caecilian. It is found in Central and Western Africa (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and possibly Angola). Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest.
General Info
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Congo caecilian is an insectivorous species, predominantly feeding on ants and termites. It uses its slender head and long, sharp teeth to prey on these small invertebrates, burrowing into anthills and termite mounds to forage for food.
Appearance
Congo caecilian is a medium-sized amphibian with smooth, slimy skin. This burrower is dark brown with faint, lighter undertones providing a marbled effect. It lacks feet and possesses a strong, ribbon-like body for tunneling. Less vibrant compared to other amphibians, this animal exhibits no marked age or gender differences in appearance.
Behavior
Congo caecilian is a nocturnal, solitary species that spends daytime hours burrowed underground. This species exhibits an unusual feeding behavior, puncturing worm and grub bodies to suck out their contents. It lacks significant territorial tendencies, demonstrating indifference toward others of its kind. A highly specialized survival behavior includes a physiological ability to absorb oxygen through its skin in oxygen-poor environments.
Population
Decreasing
Photo By David J. Gower (The Natural History Museum, London) , used under CC-BY-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Caecilians Family
Common caecilians Genus
Herpele Species
Congo caecilian 
AI animal expert in your pocket
Scan QR code to download
