Geotrypetes seraphini
Africa·Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Angola (possibly), Republic of the Congo (possibly)
Geotrypetes seraphini, commonly known as the Gaboon caecilian, is a species of amphibian native to West and Central Africa. This burrowing amphibian inhabits moist lowland forests, plantations, and even urban and agricultural areas within its range. It is distinguished by its elongated, limbless body and smooth, moist skin, typical of caecilians.
Key Facts
- ›Found in multiple countries across West and Central Africa.
- ›Inhabits a variety of environments including forests, plantations, and degraded areas.
- ›Belongs to the family Dermophiidae.
- ›Possesses an elongated, limbless, burrowing body form.
- ›Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Subtropical Or Tropical Moist Lowland Forests, Plantations, Rural Gardens, Urban Areas, Heavily Degraded Former Forests, Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Land
Gaboon Caecilian
About Geotrypetes seraphini
Geotrypetes seraphini, commonly known as the Gaboon caecilian, is a species of amphibian belonging to the family Dermophiidae. This species is distributed across a significant portion of West and Central Africa, with confirmed or possible occurrences in countries including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo.
Natural Habitats
The Gaboon caecilian thrives in a variety of environments. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, which provide the damp conditions necessary for its survival. Beyond pristine forest environments, this adaptable species can also be found in human-modified landscapes such as plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas. Furthermore, they inhabit heavily degraded former forests and areas of seasonally flooded agricultural land, demonstrating a capacity to persist even in altered ecosystems.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Gaboon caecilian found?
The Gaboon caecilian is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and possibly Angola and the Republic of the Congo. Its distribution spans across West and Central Africa.
What kind of habitats does Geotrypetes seraphini prefer?
This species naturally inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It can also be found in plantations, rural gardens, urban areas, heavily degraded former forests, and seasonally flooded agricultural land.
What is the family of Geotrypetes seraphini?
Geotrypetes seraphini belongs to the amphibian family Dermophiidae. This family includes several species of burrowing amphibians known as caecilians.
Related Caecilian species
Boulengerula fischeri
Boulengerula fischeri, also known as Fischer's African caecilian, is a species of caecilian native to Rwanda. This slender, pink, spaghetti-like amphibian is found in montane forests and adjacent farmlands. Its specific name honors German botanist Eberhard Fischer.
Herpele squalostoma
Herpele squalostoma, also known as the Congo caecilian, is a species of caecilian found in Central and extreme eastern West Africa. This species is characterized by its cylindrical body, prominent snout, and eyes covered by bone, and it exhibits parental care through maternal dermatophagy.

Grandisonia larvata
Grandisonia larvata, also known as the Indian Ocean caecilian, is a species of amphibian belonging to the Indotyphlidae family. It is exclusively found on the Seychelles islands of Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, and Silhouette.