AMPHIBIA: APODA: ICHTHYOPHIIDAE: Ichthyophis

Ichthyophis  kohtaoensis Taylor, 1960

Yellow belly caecilian

Photo & author credits

Range: Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaya.

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Natural History: An inhabitant of muddy river and lake banks, this species is also likely to prowl above ground when seeking prey. It feeds on a variety of soft-bodied animals, including worms, slugs, and insects.

"Ichthyophis" translates to "fish snake" from Greek. The species was named by the late Edward H. Taylor, arguably the leading caecilian researcher of the 20th century.

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Literature: Click on book to order.

Hofricher, Robert (editor). 2000. Amphibians: the world of frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. Firefly Books. ISBN: 1-55209-541-X.   

Sprackland, Robert. 1991. The eels that aren’t: caecilians. Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Feb.: 132-136.

Taylor, E. H. 1968. The caecilians of the world. University of Kansas Press, Lawrence.