caecilian
- noun
- /sɪˈsɪl.jən/
- Specialized
:
cecílido
- A caecilian is a small, slender, limbless amphibian that typically lives underground in moist tropical soil.
Examples
-
Such widespread endangerment makes it virtually certain that many hundreds, if not thousands, of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians will become extinct in the wild in this century.
Academic text (2007) -
This fund conserves amphibian species across the globe, from the Chinese giant salamander to Cameroon’s caecilians and the Panamanian golden frog.
Blog text (3) -
Scientists discovered a new species of caecilian that burrows deep into the ground to escape dry conditions.
-
The caecilian is often mistaken for a snake due to its limbless body and burrowing habits.
Synonyms
A small limbless animal like a worm that lives under wet soil in the tropics
How Burrowing
Surface Forms
Etymology
Caecilian comes from the Latin caecus, which means 'blind'. These limbless, burrowing amphibians have very small eyes and live mostly underground, so thinking 'blind' helps you remember the worm-like, hidden creature.