Rhinatrematidae

Rhinatrematidae, the family of Neotropical tailed caecilians, American tailed caecilians or beaked caecilians, are found in the equatorial countries of South America.

They are usually regarded as the most primitive of the caecilian families, with numerous characteristics lacking in the other groups. For example, they still possess tails, and their mouths are not recessed on the underside of their heads. They lay their eggs in cavities in the soil. The larvae have external gills, and live in seepage areas until they metamorphose. The adults live in moist soil and leaf litter.