‘Penis snake’ discovered in Brazil

A rare amphibian known as the ‘penis snake’ has been discovered in the Brazilian Amazon.

An unusual creature, thought by some to resemble part of the male anatomy, has been discovered in the Amazon.

Atretochoana eiselti  is the world’s largest caecilian, a limbless amphibian, reaching a length of 75 cm (30 inches).  Little is known about the species although it is thought that it lacks lungs, breathing through its skin instead.

The species was discovered while draining a portion of the Madeira River in Brazil for a controversial hydroelectric project on what is one of the Amazon’s major tributaries. Environmentalists are concerned by Brazil’s plans to build 30 dams for 2020 which will flood vast areas of forest as well as affecting fish migration and nutrient flows throughout the Amazon Basin.

Source: Mongabay