Limbless amphibian in Mt. Apo harmless

A Mindanao Caecilian (ichthyophis mindanaoensis), a rarely seen limbless amphibian that strikingly resembles an earthworm or even a small snake, was recorded at the Biodiversity Monitoring System Site of Mount Apo Natural Park in Cotabato.

The said animal is a species endemic to Mindanao and classified as an Other Threatened Species under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2019-09.

The species was identified by Marisol G. Pedregosa, wildlife biologist and watershed management officer of Energy Development Corporation. Its identity was subsequently confirmed by Arvin Diesmos, director of the National Museum of Natural History of the National Museum of the Philippines, Manila.

The Mindanao caecilian, because of its unusual appearance, is sometimes mistaken for a venomous reptile that leads to its unnecessary killing out of fear.

However, it is non-venomous and is totally harmless to humans.