Witu caecilian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Witu caecilian |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Schistometopum
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| Species: |
gregorii
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| Synonyms | |
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Dermophis gregorii Boulenger, 1895 "1894" |
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The Schistometopum gregorii, also known as the Witu caecilian, is a special type of amphibian. It looks a bit like a large worm or a snake, but it's actually related to frogs and salamanders! This creature lives in East Africa. People also call it the mud-dwelling caecilian or flood-plain-dwelling caecilian because of where it lives.
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Where the Witu Caecilian Lives
The Witu caecilian is found only in certain parts of coastal East Africa. It lives in Kenya and Tanzania. You can find it near the Tana River Delta in Kenya. It also lives between Bagamoyo and the Rufiji River in Tanzania. When an animal is found only in one specific area, we say it is endemic to that place. Scientists think the caecilians in Kenya and Tanzania might even be slightly different species!
Why is it Called gregorii?
The second part of its scientific name, gregorii, is a way to honor someone. It was named after John Walter Gregory. He was a British geologist and explorer. Mr. Gregory was the person who first collected the specific animal specimen that scientists used to describe this species. This first specimen is called the holotype.
What Does the Witu Caecilian Look Like?
The Witu caecilian has a shiny, dark black color on its back and sides. Its belly is a bit lighter in color. It has many ring-shaped folds on its body, which are called primary annuli. These rings help it move through the mud. It usually has between 110 and 119 of these rings.
Adult Witu caecilians can be different sizes. Males found in Kenya are typically between 141 and 336 millimeters long. That's about 5.5 to 13.2 inches. The average length for males is 247 millimeters (about 9.7 inches). Females are a little longer, usually between 152 and 350 millimeters (about 6 to 13.8 inches). Their average length is 260 millimeters (about 10.2 inches).
Home and Safety of the Witu Caecilian
This caecilian likes to live in black mud. You can often find it near rivers and in areas where people grow crops, like rice fields. Scientists don't know a lot about the specific threats to this species. However, because it lives in places where people farm, it seems to be okay with some changes to its environment. This means it can probably handle some human activity in its habitat.
