São tomé caecilian
A species of Schistometopum Scientific name : Schistometopum thomense Genus : Schistometopum
São tomé caecilian, A species of Schistometopum
Scientific name: Schistometopum thomense
Genus: Schistometopum
Content
Description General Info
Description
Schistometopum thomense is a species of amphibian in the family Dermophiidae, endemic to São Tomé and Ilhéu das Rolas. It is found in most soils on São Tomé, from tropical moist lowland forests to coastal coconut plantations. It is absent only from the driest northern areas of the island. It is typically around 30 cm (12 in) in length, and is often bright yellow. This species may be referred to as the São Tomé caecilian (with various spellings...
General Info
Lifespan
5-8 years
Appearance
São tomé caecilian is a slender, medium-sized caecilian with a length of up to 430mm. Its skin, smooth and shiny with ring-like folds, exhibits shades of bluish-grey to dark brown, sometimes with a yellowish ventral side. This underground dweller lacks limbs and eyes, maintaining tentacles located between the nostril and eye area. Both sexes appear very similar with no significant differences reported.
Behavior
São tomé caecilian is a nocturnal and solitary species, spending most of its day underground and emerging at night for feeding. Its diet primarily consists of small invertebrates. Alarmingly, it can voluntarily shed its tail, a form of autotomy, to distract predators. This species is non-vocal, therefore it primarily relies on tactile communication with conspecifics.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Caecilians Family
Common caecilians Genus
Schistometopum Species
São tomé caecilian 
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