Description
This is a relatively small (200-370 mm total length) caecilian, dark black-brown in coloration and slightly paler ventrally. Its body has the characteristic annuli; it does not have a tail. The head is small and rather pointed, with the eyes covered by skin. The mouth is subterminal. A chemosensory tentacle is apparent on each side of the head.

Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Seychelles

	View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.
	View Bd and Bsal data (5 records).

This is a relatively abundant species, inhabiting all of the granitic islands in the Seychelles group. This species can be found in moist leaf litter and soil, under wood and rocks, in debris piles, and occasionally in streams.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Not much is known about the behavior and diet. They presumably eat earthworms and terrestrial arthropods. There have been reports of this species consuming frogs. In captivity, they are sit-and-wait predators with a strong bite

Trends and Threats
They seems to be abundant where found.

Relation to Humans
Its diet of arthropods helps to control pest populations and its burrowing aids in soil turning and aeration.

References

Wake, M. H. (2003). ''Frigate Island caecilian, Hypogeophis rostratus.'' Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Amphibians. 2nd edition. M. Hutchins, W. E. Duellman, and N. Schlager, eds., Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2008 Hypogeophis rostratus: Frigate Island Caecilian <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/1901> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 27, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 27 Dec 2024.

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