Boulengerula taitanus
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| Boulengerula taitanus Loveridge, 1935 |
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Boulengerula taitanus is a worm-like African amphibian.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
- Loader, S. & Measey, J. 2004. Boulengerula taitana. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. [1]. Downloaded on 06 April 2007.
[edit] External links
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