- Typhlonectes natans
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Typhlonectes natans 
Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Gymnophiona Family: Caeciliidae Genus: Typhlonectes Species: T. natans Binomial name Typhlonectes natans
(Fischer, 1880)Synonyms Chthonerpeton haydee Roze, 1963
Typhlonectes natans, also called the Rubber Eel, is a species of caecilian in the family Caeciliidae. It is found in Colombia, Venezuela, and possibly Trinidad and Tobago. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, and rivers. The rubber eel is commonly kept as an aquarium pet, and is sometimes sold as a "fish" in aquarium stores.
They grow to 45 to 55 cm in length. They are dark grey- black in color. While T. natans can and occasionally does breath air at the surface, most of the respiration takes place through its skin.
The species is oviviparous, giving birth to young in water. The gestation period lasts app. 220 days. 3-7 live, fully developed young are born, which after only one year reach almost half the size of an adult (25 cm).
References
- Mijares, A., Castro, F., Measey, J. & Wilkinson, M. 2004. Typhlonectes natans. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 July 2007.
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