Sagalla caecilian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sagalla caecilian |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| B. niedeni in Taita–Taveta, Kenya | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Boulengerula
|
| Species: |
niedeni
|
The Sagalla caecilian (scientific name: Boulengerula niedeni) is a special worm-like amphibian. It was first discovered and described in 2005. This unique creature was found on Sagala Hill in Kenya. Sagala Hill is a mountain that stands alone, part of the Taita Hills. So far, the Sagalla caecilian has only been found in this one area.
Not much of the original forest is left on Sagala Hill. But the Sagalla caecilian seems to be able to live near small farms. However, it cannot live in areas with eucalyptus trees. These trees cover a lot of the hill. Because this animal lives in such a small area, it is listed as endangered. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever. It was listed as endangered in 2013. Before that, in 2006, it was even more at risk, listed as critically endangered. In 2008, it was named one of the top-10 "focal species" by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project.
Contents
What Does the Sagalla Caecilian Look Like?
The Sagalla caecilian is a type of caecilian. Caecilians are very unusual amphibians. They have long, worm-like bodies. They do not have any legs. Their bodies are segmented, like a large earthworm.
The color of the Sagalla caecilian can change. It depends on where it lives. In shady, high-up places, they are dark brown. In lower areas, they are light brown. Some even have hints of blue. Young caecilians look different. They have a long, dark stripe on their back. The rest of their body has no color.
Unlike earthworms, caecilians have a clear mouth and nostrils. They also have something very special. They have two tentacles that can pop out. One tentacle is on each side of their head. They are found between the eye and the nostril. The Sagalla caecilian has a rounded snout. Its tentacles are short and round. It has a fairly large mouth. There are two rows of teeth in each jaw.
The eyes of some Sagalla caecilians are very small. Sometimes, they are almost completely covered by bone and skin. Their eyes might be like this because they don't need to see much. They mostly just need to sense light when they are digging underground.
Where Do Sagalla Caecilians Live?
The Sagalla caecilian mainly lives on Sagala Hill. You can find them on small farms. They also live in small patches of native forests. They can only live at certain heights on Sagala Hill. This is between 1,000 and 1,504 meters above sea level. It is hard for them to move to higher or lower lands. Rocky mountains with less plants block them on one side. Dry, hot areas block them on the other.
Besides their height limit, they only live in a small area. This area is about 20 square kilometers. This is roughly half the size of Manhattan.
Sagalla Caecilian Habitat
The forests on Sagala Hill are perfect for the Sagalla caecilian. These forests have many evergreen trees. These trees are a main food source for the caecilian. Besides tree logs, you can find them in rich soil. They also hide under dead leaves and plants. Sometimes, they are found near streams and other water bodies.
The Sagalla caecilian needs to stay near water. Its skin must always be moist. In the moist soil, it can find its food. It can also stay hidden from animals that might eat it. Unlike other worms, the Sagalla caecilian does not need moisture for reproduction.
The forest and farms must be at a height of 1,000 to 1,500 meters. This is the best height for the caecilian to survive. At this height, the temperatures are cooler. This helps the Sagalla caecilian stay hydrated. It keeps them from drying out when they are on the surface.
What Threats Do Sagalla Caecilians Face?
The Sagalla caecilian lives in a very specific place. Its living area is also getting smaller. The quality of its home on Sagala Hill is getting worse.
One big problem is the growth of eucalyptus tree farms. These farms make the soil dry and hard. This makes it very difficult for the Sagalla caecilian to survive. Eucalyptus trees with smooth bark are a bigger threat. They take more water from the soil than trees with rough bark.
Another danger is deforestation. This means trees are cut down to make more farmland. When there are fewer plants, especially near streams, there is less protection. This leads to more flooding and soil erosion. These things make the caecilian species very vulnerable.
How Are Sagalla Caecilians Being Protected?
The Sagalla caecilian is a newly discovered species. So, there is still much to learn about it. We do know that it does not live in any protected areas. These include national parks or wildlife conservations.
This special animal is seen as a sign of healthy soil. Because of this, people are working to make the land better. While the Boulengerula niedeni is not directly targeted for protection, efforts to improve the soil often include studies of amphibians.
A competition was even held for the people of the Sagalla community. They were asked to find a new name for the Sagalla caecilian. This new name would be in their local language, Kisagalla. Conservationists did this to help local people connect with the species. Patrick Malonza helped discover this species. He also helped organize the naming competition. He explained why a local name is important:
- "If the animal has a local Kisagalla name, we think that Sagalla people may recognize it for the special endemic species that it is. They have something unique to be proud of."
The Zoological Society of London has a campaign called "EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct & Globally Endangered) of Existence." This group has started working to create a special preserve for caecilians. They also want to restore the habitat for the species. Sagala Hill is known for having many different kinds of plants and animals. Because of this, many other groups are also interested in the area. However, not much is being done specifically for the Sagalla caecilian.
Some important goals for protecting the Sagalla caecilian include:
- Making the soil stable again by planting more vegetation.
- Improving farming methods.
- Carefully replacing eucalyptus farms with native trees.
- Working with local communities.
- Continuing to study the caecilian's life and environment.
Work is being done to train people to help in the field. They will learn how to properly make these changes.
