[1][2][3] There are seven species in this genus, all of which are endemic to the Western Ghats of southwestern India.

Unlike the more 'advanced' caecilians, members of this genus have a true tail with vertebrae, and their skull has a relatively complex structure.

However, unlike the more 'primitive' caecilians, the mouth is recessed below the snout, there are no tertiary annuli, and the tentacular opening are far forward of the eyes, and below the nostril.

[6] The pattern of annulation among species of Uraeotyphlus falls into two clear types based on the differentiation of primary and higher-order annuli, and the number of annular divisions per vertebra and whether this varies along the body.

[5] They are burrowing animals, which lay eggs that hatch into free-living larvae.