Kingdom Animalia Order Gymnophiona Genus Boulengerula Higher classification Boulengerula | Phylum Chordata Family Caeciliidae Scientific name Boulengerula taitana Rank Species | |
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Similar Boulengerula, Caecilian, Amphibians, Caeciliidae, Scolecomorphidae | ||
Boulengerula taitana (commons names: Taita African caecilian, Taita Hills caecilian, Taita Mountains caecilian) is a species of caecilian from Africa.
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Distribution
Boulengerula taitana is endemic to the Taita Hills region of southeast Kenya. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, plantations, rural gardens, and heavily degraded former forest. It is quite common throughout its range and able to live in modified habitats, but is potentially threatened by habitat loss.
Diet
Generally, Boulengerula are believed to be predators of soil macrofauna. The large proportion of decaying plant material and unidentifiable organic matter in guts of Boulengerula taitana has led to a suggestion that it is an omnivore or detritivore. However, the organic matter and soil in their diet seems to originate from prey items such as earthworms. Other important dietary items are termites, dipteran larvae and other soil macrofauna.
Reproduction
Boulengerula taitana is an egg-laying burrowing caecilian. Because young specimens do not have the same tooth structure as adults, Boulengerula taitana 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. This behaviour is also found in its South American relative Siphonops annulatus.
Recently a film crew from BBC captured this event on film.