Boulengerula taitanus

Taxobox | name = "Boulengerula taitanus"

---

image_caption =
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Gymnophiona
familia = Caeciliidae
genus = "Boulengerula"
species = "B. taitanus"
binomial = "Boulengerula taitanus"
binomial_authority = Loveridge, 1935
range_

range_map_caption = Range highlighted in blue.

"Boulengerula taitanus" is a worm-like African amphibian.

Distribution

The "Boulengerula taitanus" is endemic to the Taita Hills region of southeast Kenya.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest.It is quite common throughout its range, but is threatened by habitat loss.

Reproduction

"Boulengerula taitanus" is an egg-laying amphibian. Many people think that they are worms, but they are actually amphibians.Because young specimens do not have the same tooth structure as adults, "Boulengerula taitanus" has developed a strange habit. Once the young have hatched, the mother develops a thick, nutritious skin which the young eat. This does not appear to harm the adult.

Recently a filmcrew from BBC captured this event on film, see link in external links below.

References

*Loader, S. & Measey, J. 2004. Boulengerula taitana. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [http://www.iucnredlist.org] . Downloaded on 06 April 2007.

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7235205.stm A BBC crew captures the youngs eating of the mothers skin on film.]