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Mexican Caecilian
Mexican caecilian is a species of amphibian occurring in Central America and Mexico. The limbless creature is fossorial.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Amphibia |
Order | Gymnophiona |
Family | Dermophiidae |
Genus | Dermophis |
Scientific Name | Dermophis mexicanus |
Size | 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20 in) |
Color | Dark gray upper surface with pale gray underside |
Distribution | Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras |
Habitat | Subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, moist montane forests, rural gardens, plantations, heavily degraded former forests |
Diet | Earthworms, termites, slugs, crickets, snails |
Predators | Snakes, birds |
Breeding Season | May – June |
Mode of Reproduction | Viviparous (giving birth to live young) |
Litter Size | 4 to 11 young |
Gestation Period | Around 11 months |
Reproductive Age | Male: 3 years of age Female: 2 years of age |
Average Lifespan | Up to 13.8 years in captivity |
IUCN Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
Mexican Caecilian Pictures Gallery
Published on May 18th 2017 by staff under Caecilians. Article was last reviewed on 30th September 2019.