| Mexican Mole Lizard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| General information | |||
| Aliases | Ajolotes Bipes Five-toed Worm Lizard | ||
| Classification | Bipes biporous | ||
| Homeworld | Earth | ||
| Intelligence | Non-sapient | ||
| Biochemistry | Carbon-based lifeform | ||
| Biological information | |||
| Lifespan | 1-2 years | ||
| Reproduction | Sexual; lays eggs | ||
| Average length | Snout to vent: 7.1–9.4" (18–24 cm) | ||
| Average width | 0.24–0.28" (6–7 mm) | ||
| Locomotion | Burrowing | ||
| Feeding behavior | Carnivorous | ||
| Distinctive features | Worm-like body with | ||
| Skin color | Pink | ||
| Lineage information | |||
| Related species | Bipes alvarezi, Bipes canaliculatus, Bipes tridactylus | ||
| Cultural information | |||
| Alignment | True Neutral | ||
| Sociocultral characteristics | |||
| Scientific taxonomy | |||
| Planet | Earth | ||
| Domain | Eukaryota | ||
| Kingdom | Animalia | ||
| Subkingdom | Eumetazoa | ||
| Infrakingdom | Bilateria | ||
| Superphylum | Deuterostomia | ||
| Phylum | Chordata | ||
| Subphylum | Vertebrata | ||
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata | ||
| Superclass | Tetrapoda | ||
| Class | Reptilia | ||
| Subclass | Diapsid | ||
| Infraclass | Sauria | ||
| Superorder | Lepidosauria | ||
| Order | Squamata | ||
| Superfamily | Lacertoidea | ||
| Family | Bipedidae | ||
| Genus | Bipes | ||
| Species | biporous | ||
| Other information | |||
| Status | Least Concern | ||
| First sighting | 1894 | ||
The Mexican Mole Lizard (Bipes biporous) is a species amphisbaenian endemic to the Baja California Peninsula, including Mexican free states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chiapas, and Guerrero.
Description[]
The species are pink-hued, worm-like lizards known as amphisbaenians or bibes. They are quite disgusting creatures but when you look at them for a bit they actually seem quite cute. They have had their hind legs devolve to a vestigial state and now only the bones can be seen, which have to be seen by X-ray. In stark contrast, their forelegs are strong and paddle-like. Their bodies are segmented, causing them to resemble earthworms. They are opportunistic carnivorous burrowers, using peristalsis of their segments to travel through the substrate.
Behavior[]
Mexican Mole Lizards are difficult to encounter, as they spend much of their lives underground. They are nocturnal and will only emerge at night, or if there has been heavy rainfall.
They are opportunistic and will eat ground-dwelling insects including but not limited to ants and termites and their larvae, earthworms, and small animals including other lizards. They prefer to drag their prey into their burrow before actually starting to feed.
Reproduction[]
The species breed sexually like other reptiles, though they do so underground. They are oviparous (lay eggs before they hatch). The females will lay one to four eggs in July which will then hatch after two months, in September.
Trivia[]
- It is one of only four known species of real life amphisbaenians that still possess legs in some form.
- Despite not resembling each other, the Mexican Mole Lizards are sometimes confused with Axolotls, which are also sometimes known as Ajolotes.
- Many people confuse them for Worms!