The Sagalla caecilian is found in just one location – the Sagalla Hill in the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya – in an area less than half the size of Manhattan Island. This species spends most of its life below ground, and is adapted for this burrowing lifestyle by having eyes protected by skin, a strong bony head for pushing through the soil, and sensory tentacles on either side of their head to detect the chemical signals of its prey. Having laid her eggs, the female Sagalla caecilian will guard these until they hatch, and may even feed the newly hatched young on her own skin like its close relative, the Taita African caecilian.

There are a number of threats causing degradation of the Sagalla caecilian’s habitat including streamside erosion as a result of vegetation removal and pollution from increased pesticide use. Furthermore, the species does not appear to occur in any areas where eucalyptus plantations have been established. As a result of these threats, and the restricted range of this caecilian, the species has been classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

EDGE would like to fund further research into the population ecology, behaviour and threats of the Sagalla caecilian through a local EDGE Fellow, information which is vital to the creation of a successful Conservation Action Plan. Habitat restoration is necessary on the Sagalla Hill, and EDGE hopes to help replace the current eucalyptus plantations with natural vegetation, and to reduce current levels of soil erosion by planting vegetation along streams and on steep slopes.

Take action

£1000 Could cover in-country training and field costs for a local aspiring conservationist to conserve an EDGE Species.