Added 1 February 2003

Bipedidae

Genus Common Name No. of species Location Notes
Bipes   4 Mexico This is the only amphisbaenian genus to have legs, namely two short ones with hand-like appendages at the front.

This family consists of the single genus above. Remarkably for this group of animals, each species has two hands that actually seem larger than the limbs joining them to the body: the number of digits on each hand can be used as a guide to the species. Few details are available on the reproductive biology of the genus, but it is known that clutches of 1-4 eggs are laid.

Carl J Franklin has written a fascinating and useful article at www.kingsnake.com about his search for Bipes biporus, and on the biology and captive care of the Bipes species.

Species Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Bipes
B. alvarezi   Mexico   Not always considered a separate species.
B. biporus Mole Lizard, Ajolote [Mex.]  Mexico (Baja California) 9½" This species has five digits on each hand.
B. canaliculatus  

 

 

Mexico

 

 

4-4½"

 

 

This species has four digits on each hand.
B. c. canaliculatus
B. c. multiannualatus
B. tridactylus   Mexico   This species has three digits on each hand.

Back to Amphisbaenians | Back to Reptiles | Back to Herpetology | Back to HomePage