Microcaecilia iwokramae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Microcaecilia iwokramae |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microcaecilia
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| Species: |
iwokramae
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| Synonyms | |
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Caecilita iwokramae Wake and Donnelly, 2010 |
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Microcaecilia iwokramae is a special type of caecilian. Caecilians are amphibians that look a bit like worms or snakes. This species lives only in Guyana, a country in South America. It was first found in a place called the Iwokrama Forest. Scientists first gave it a different name, Caecilita iwokramae, but later realized it belongs to the group Microcaecilia.
What it Looks Like
Microcaecilia iwokramae is a small animal that lives on land. It is about 11.2 centimeters (about 4.4 inches) long. It has 102 rings around its body, called annuli. When it was preserved, its color was light yellow-brown with spots.
At first, scientists thought this caecilian did not have lungs, which would have been very unusual for a land animal. However, they later found out it does have a single, well-developed lung. It also has open nostrils, which help it breathe. Its eyes are mostly covered by bone, similar to other Microcaecilia species.
Where it Lives and How it is Protected
Microcaecilia iwokramae lives in a type of forest called mixed low-stature scrub forest. This forest is about 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) above sea level.
Scientists believe this caecilian is quite common in the area where it was first found. They can find these animals by digging in the soil. They often look under rotting wood, in leaf litter, or between the large roots of trees.
See also
In Spanish: Microcaecilia iwokramae para niños
