Calling all caecilian keepers!

[tjtreefrog]

Thanks for the info! I checked out First Choice Reptiles web site and $35.00 isn't too bad price for a caecilian. I also worked at a zoo as an amphibian keeper and was told by the staff that keeping caecilians in the U.S. is against the law. I am not sure of all the details. Since they are OK to keep, I might order some as well. They are the most fascinating of amphibians. BTW, last week, I presented a paper on the taxonomy and natural history of caecilians. Keep us informed of your progress!

Wow, that's fascinating! Would it be possible for me to view this paper? I will do my best to keep everyone informed of my progress. I see so little information out there on caecilians, I am thrilled to have the chance to add to our knowledge of the amazing amphibians! By the way, caecilians are not illegal to keep, that's a common misconception. Typhlonectes natans are illegal to import because of their native country's ban on exporting them. Geotrypetes seraphini and almost all other caecilians are perfectly legal to import and own.

[pez]

I have seen this guys in the wild and I did kept the one i saw for some time but released him because he spent most of the time buried or inside the rotten log he had. I fed him with Tenebrio molitor larvae or earthworms. Hope you have luck with yours.






I released mine exactly in the same place where I found him.

[tjtreefrog]

I have seen this guys in the wild and I did kept the one i saw for some time but released him because he spent most of the time buried or inside the rotten log he had. I fed him with Tenebrio molitor larvae or earthworms. Hope you have luck with yours.






I released mine exactly in the same place where I found him.

Cool! Do you know what species you had? I wish I lived in an area where I could just go into the jungle and collect caecilians myself, you're so lucky!

[pez]

I had a Dermophis costaricense. Its not so easy to go out and see them. First you need to have a property, I am lucky that my grandpa has a big property just next to a national park.
Next time I go there (saturday) I am going to try to find one.

[tjtreefrog]

Awesome! I've heard Dermophis species make great captives. I hope you find some this Saturday, post pictures of them if you do!

[tjtreefrog]

Update! I just received my Geotrypetes seraphini (Gaboon Caecilian). It is doing well. It's in a 10 gallon tank with 4 inches of moist coconut husk. I'll keep everyone updated on it's progress and will post photos soon (I'm going to let it rest undisturbed for a few day after its long journey).

[tjtreefrog]

Thank you Pez, and everyone else, for your kind words. Did you have any luck finding caecilians on your Grandpa's property?

[pez]

No, I didn't. I tried cheking every moist area, dead trunk, rocks, everything, but had no luck.


Hope you can get other caecilian soon!!