There are 13 species in this family. Neotropical tailed caecilians are found in forests in South America.

They have long, snake-like bodies. They have short tails, and their mouth is not recessed under their snout.

Neotropical tailed caecilians range in size from 6 to 13 inches in length.

Females lay their eggs in moist soil or in a burrow near the water. The larvae have external gills and will undergo metamorphosis in the water.