Salvador caecilian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siphonops leucoderus |
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Siphonops
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S. leucoderus
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| Siphonops leucoderus Taylor, 1968
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The Siphonops leucoderus, also known as the Salvador caecilian, is a special kind of Caecilian. Caecilians are amphibians, just like frogs and salamanders, but they look more like worms or snakes.
This unique animal belongs to the family called Caeciliidae. You can find the Salvador caecilian living in Brazil. It likes to make its home in subtropical or tropical forests. It especially prefers lowland forests and even some rural areas.
Contents
What is a Salvador Caecilian?
The Salvador caecilian is a type of amphibian. Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that can live both on land and in water. Unlike frogs, caecilians do not have legs. They have long, slender bodies that help them move through soil.
Where Do They Live?
Salvador caecilians are found only in Brazil. They prefer warm, wet places. Their favorite homes are in tropical and subtropical forests. These forests have lots of trees and plants, and the ground is often moist. They also live in lowland areas, which are not high up in the mountains. Sometimes, you can even find them in rural areas where people live, as long as there is enough forest cover.
What Do They Look Like?
Caecilians are often mistaken for worms or small snakes because of their long, smooth bodies. They usually have small, hidden eyes, and some are even blind. This is because they spend most of their lives underground. The Salvador caecilian has a scientific name, Siphonops leucoderus, which helps scientists identify it.
Their Family Tree
The Salvador caecilian is part of a larger group of animals.
- It is an animal (Kingdom: Animalia).
- It has a backbone, so it's a chordate (Phylum: Chordata).
- It's an amphibian (Class: Amphibia).
- It belongs to the group called Gymnophiona (Order).
- Its specific family is Caeciliidae.
- And its genus is Siphonops.
This helps scientists understand how different animals are related to each other.
Conservation Status
The Salvador caecilian's conservation status is listed as "Data Deficient" (DD) by the IUCN. This means that there isn't enough information about how many of these caecilians exist or if their numbers are going down. Scientists need more research to understand if this species is at risk.
References
- Silvano, D.& Pimenta, B. 2004. Siphonops leucoderus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 July 2007.
