Caecilia crassisquama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caecilia crassisquama |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caecilia
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| Species: |
crassisquama
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The Caecilia crassisquama is a special kind of caecilian. Caecilians are amazing creatures that look a bit like large worms or snakes, but they are actually amphibians. This means they are related to frogs and salamanders! This particular caecilian belongs to the family Caeciliidae.
This animal is endemic to Ecuador. This means you can only find it naturally in Ecuador and nowhere else in the world! It was first discovered in a place called "Normandia, Zuñía, Río Upana." This area is now part of the beautiful Sangay National Park.
The Caecilia crassisquama is a subterranean species. This means it spends most of its life living underground. It was found in a montane forest, which is a type of forest that grows in the mountains.
Contents
What is a Caecilian?
Caecilians are a group of amphibians that are often overlooked. They are limbless, meaning they don't have arms or legs. They have smooth skin and usually live hidden away. Many caecilians live underground, burrowing through the soil. Others live in water.
How Caecilians Live
These amazing animals are very good at digging. They use their strong, pointed heads to push through the dirt. Their bodies are long and worm-like, which helps them move easily underground. They often hunt for small insects and worms in the soil.
Where it Lives: Ecuador
Ecuador is a country in South America. It is known for its incredible variety of plants and animals. The Caecilia crassisquama is just one example of the unique wildlife found there.
Sangay National Park
The place where this caecilian was first found is now part of Sangay National Park. This park is a protected area. It helps keep the natural homes of many animals safe. It has high mountains, volcanoes, and thick forests.
Why Protecting Habitats Matters
Protecting places like Sangay National Park is very important. It ensures that animals like the Caecilia crassisquama have a safe place to live. It also helps keep the balance of nature.
Discovery and Study
The first Caecilia crassisquama ever found is called the holotype. It was collected by a scientist named Edward Harrison Taylor in 1968. Scientists use the holotype to describe and compare new species.
Why Scientists Study Caecilians
Scientists study caecilians to learn more about them. They want to understand how they live, what they eat, and where they are found. This helps us protect them, especially if they are rare or in danger.
Status: Data Deficient
The Caecilia crassisquama is listed as "Data Deficient" (DD) by the IUCN Red List. This means scientists don't have enough information about it. They don't know how many there are or if their numbers are going down.
What "Data Deficient" Means
When a species is "Data Deficient," it means we need more research. Scientists need to find out more about where it lives and how many exist. This information helps decide if the species needs special protection.
See also
In Spanish: Caecilia crassisquama para niños
