Mexican Mole Lizard, 2-Legged Oddball Wormlike Lizard

The Mexican Mole Lizard, or Bipes biporus, is an odd looking creature.  It looks like a long earthworm with two front legs with claws that act like paddles.  It burrows in porous soils, just like an earthworms.  It’s not a true lizard but it’s closely related to lizards and snakes and belongs to the small suborder Amphisbaenia which is endemic to Baja California, Mexico

The Mexican Mole Lizard is also commonly known as the five-toed worm lizard.  It is one of four species of amphisbaenians that have legs. It should not be confused with a salamander.

About the Mexican Mole Lizard

Mexican Mole Lizards are pink, lizard-like reptiles, 18–24 cm (7.1–9.4 in) snout-to-vent length and 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) in width.  They live for one to two years. Their skin is closely segmented to give a corrugated appearance, and like earthworms, their underground movement is by peristalsis of the segments.

The forelegs are strong and paddle-like, while the hindlegs have disappeared, leaving behind only vestigial bones visible in X-rays.  The feet fold back for a “swimming” motion, yet come into play for guidance and  digging.

Mexican Mole Lizard – Reproduction

This species is oviparous and the females lay one to four eggs in July. The species only breeds underground. The eggs hatch after two months.

Mexican Mole Lizard – Geographic Range

The Mexican mole lizard is found only in [Xochimilco], Mexico.

Mexican Mole Lizard – Behavior

Like all other amphisbaenians, this burrowing species only surfaces at night or after heavy rain.

Mexican Mole Lizard – Diet

This carnivore eats ants, termites, ground-dwelling insects, larvae, earthworms, and small animals including lizards. It usually pulls its prey down to the ground to start its meal.

SOURCES:

Wikipedia – Mexican Mold Lizard

The Reptile Report – 2-legged Oddball, the Bipes-biporus

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Jeanne Melanson

Founder at Animal Bliss

Jeanne is the founder of Animal Bliss. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada she has lived in the United States for more than 20 years now. She is deeply passionate about animals of all kinds and started this site to share that love with others.

Her own animal experience is vast, having raised and rescued Alpine Goats, Chickens, Turkeys, Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs, Turtles, Raccoons, Cats, Dogs, and even an Opossum and Bearded Dragon.

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