From the IUCN Red List Species Account:

Range Description

This species ranges from the drainage systems of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers in western and northern Colombia to the general vicinity of Lake Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela. It occurs up to 1,000m asl. Suggestions of its occurrence in the Orinoco River, and from Trinidad require confirmation, and are not included here.

Habitat and Ecology

It is an aquatic species, living in rivers, marshes and lakes, usually in open areas, and is only rarely found on land. It is thrives in polluted water, and is resilient to major degradation of water quality. It is oviviparous, giving birth to young in water.

Population

It is a very common species.

Population Trend

Stable

Major Threats

It is extremely resilient to habitat and degradation and pollution, both of which are extensive within its range. It is popular in the international pet trade, but not at a level to constitute a threat to the species.

Conservation Actions

It occurs in some protected areas.

Citation

Abraham Mijares, Fernando Castro, John Measey, Mark Wilkinson 2004. Typhlonectes natans. In: IUCN 2012