Florida is a hotspot for invasive species from all around the world. Almost all of these animals are brought over by human intervention, most likely through the large-scaled pet trade. In the FIU Catenazzi Lab, Cara Giordano is a researcher whose main focus of study is the Typhlonectes natans, also known as rubber eels, caecilians that were found in the Tamiami Canal in 2019. This species was most likely brought over from northwestern South America as part of the pet trade before being released.
Currently, Giordano keeps 4 caecilians in her laboratory to study. The species are worm-like creatures, distantly related to frogs, and like to hide during the day. They can grow to a length of almost 2 feet and can live close to around 15 years with human care. Lacking eyesight or limbs the caecilians rely on their sensory organ above their nose to move around. Caecilians are extraordinary creatures.
The caecilians are currently classified as non-native, but there is little research about them that can prove otherwise so many researchers such as Giordano are looking to see if the future can let them keep the title or change it. All invasive species start off as non-native, it’s a name that can only be earned through extensive research.
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Florida is a hotspot for invasive species from all around the world. Almost all of these animals are brought over by human intervention, most likely through the large-scaled pet trade. In the FIU Catenazzi Lab, Cara Giordano is a researcher whose main focus of study is the Typhlonectes natans, also known as rubber eels, caecilians that were found in the Tamiami Canal in 2019. This species was most likely brought over from northwestern South America as part of the pet trade before being released.
Currently, Giordano keeps 4 caecilians in her laboratory to study. The species are worm-like creatures, distantly related to frogs, and like to hide during the day. They can grow to a length of almost 2 feet and can live close to around 15 years with human care. Lacking eyesight or limbs the caecilians rely on their sensory organ above their nose to move around. Caecilians are extraordinary creatures.
The caecilians are currently classified as non-native, but there is little research about them that can prove otherwise so many researchers such as Giordano are looking to see if the future can let them keep the title or change it. All invasive species start off as non-native, it’s a name that can only be earned through extensive research.
The caecilians have barely been in South Florida for six years, the caecilians are so recent to the ecosystem that researchers have little detail on the actual effect the rubber eel can cause in the future. This is a case where a non-native species could be seen to yet be established as just non-native or invasive.The caecilians have barely been in South Florida for six years, the caecilians are so recent to the ecosystem that researchers have little detail on the actual effect the rubber eel can cause in the future. This is a case where a non-native species could be seen to yet be established as just non-native or invasive.The aquariums use water conditioner to maintain a stable environment. The caecilians usually live in freshwater rivers and streams but migrate to marshes and lakes when a dry season begins. They’ll even burrow in sand or in hollow roots, to replace these Giordano placed pipes that they can hide in.Although referred to as rubber eels, the caecilians are actually not eels, they’re not even related to worms. They’re a part of the amphibian family since they have teeth, breath water, and are distant cousins to frogs. They can also live up to 5 years in the wild but can live more than 15 with human care.The caecilian’s diet includes small fish, larvae, shrimp, worms, and dead fish carcasses left behind from bigger predators. Giordano stated that their eating habits are low maintenance, she only needs to feed them a few times a week.: During the day the caecilians normally burrow in sand or in hollow roots to escape predators, to simulate this Giordano placed pipes that they can hide in.They don’t have limbs or useful eyes, instead their tentacle mustache above their nostrils is used as a sensory organ. In addition, they use chemosensory to differentiate and find each other since they can’t see very well.Catenazzi Lab is led by Alessandro Catenazzi, PhD in Biological Sciences, and Giordano is one of the few graduate students working under his supervision to research amphibians. Some of the other researchers study worm snakes, frogs, worm snakes, and even Cuban treefrogs.Cuban Treefrogs are invasive amphibians that are believed to have arrived to Florida via cargo ships in the 1920s. Their skin secretes a toxin that can irritate eyes and nose, cause asthma attacks, and is fatal to pets when ingested. They have no natural predators in South Florida and are even known to eat other frogs.The caecilians also produce toxic mucus from their skin but its full chemical makeup hasn’t been fully explored. Although, when crushed up caecilians were fed to other animals it did prove to be harmful which could make its purpose a defense against predators.Giordano hopes to add more research into the small knowledge known about the Typhlonectes natans. Since the caecilians hide, it is difficult to be studied in the wild. She is interested in finding out the chemical solution in the toxin secreted, how many times they need to come up to the surface to breath, and if they can fully be classified as an invasive species.
Milana Stryhun is a junior at Florida International University who hopes to work in the entertainment industry. Stryhun is originally from Ukraine and has traveled to 36 countries. She hopes to start her own travel blog to are her love for exploring new cultures and places. She has experience in movie production and hopes to become a movie producer in Los Angeles. Milana will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication and media in 2026.
I’m Daniel Rossi-Montero, a second-year student at Florida International University (FIU) with a deep passion for media and storytelling. Straight out of high school, I was fortunate enough to be hired by Channel 7, where I spent a year working as a sports producer on weekends and a journalist during the week. That experience gave me invaluable insights into the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism and solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in media.
At 18, I took a leap of faith and co-founded a media company with my partner. Building something from the ground up was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Within just a year, we achieved significant growth, which has motivated me to continue exploring innovative ways to create, share, and inspire through media.
Balancing my academic studies, professional work, and entrepreneurial endeavors has taught me the importance of perseverance, time management, and vision. These experiences have shaped who I am today, and I’m excited to see where this journey will take me next.
