Florida Worm Lizard (Rhineura floridana), Orange Co., FL, USA.
Species account: www.naherpetology.org/pdf_files/294.pdf
Distribution: ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00001561/00001/5j
(photo: Mary Keim)
Showing posts tagged worm lizard
The Ajolote lizard, Bipes biporus, aka Mexican Worm Lizard, is an amphisbaenian, a type of elongate burrowing reptile (a group of lizard or a group closely related to lizards depending on what biologist you talk to) that is often pink and wormlike in appearance. This species is endemic to the Baja California peninsula of Mexico where it inhabits dryland and desert, with xeric shrub vegetation.
Learn more about it on EOL: http://eol.org/pages/453890/details
(photo: Bradford D. Hollingsworth/CONABIO)
Iberian Worm Lizard or European Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus)
- “Cobra-cega” (Portuguese), “culebrilla ciega” (Spanish) and “colobreta cega” (Catalan), meaning ‘blind snake’
This species is found in the southern section of the Iberian Peninsula, southwards of rivers Ebro and Douro. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, arable land, and pastureland.
B. cinereus is a small legless reptile and a burrowing species. Adults may reach a total length of 10–20 cm (4–8 in). It can often be found under logs and rocks. Like other amphisbaenids the B. cinereus is a timid animal that feeds on worms and other small invertebrates. Sometimes they have been found inhabiting ant colonies. They are oviparous (egg laying).
(via: Wikipedia) (images: T - Richard Avery; B - Mario Modesto)
Red Worm Lizard (Amphisbaenia alba)
Amphisbaena alba is widespread in South America and has been described as common in parts of its wide range. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats including Rainforests, savannah, and altered and disturbed habitats. This subterranean animal is carnivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates.
(read more: IUCN) (photo: Diogo B. Provete)
Mexican Mole Lizard (Bipes biporus)
This strange little lizard-like reptile has only two, clawed legs, very far forward on its worm-like body. It burrows in porous soils and is endemic to Baja. Rather than being a true lizard, it belongs to the small suborder Amphisbaenia, which is closely related to lizards and snakes. (this is an issue of disagreement within herpetology. some still consider this a group of lizards.)
Captive animal, courtesy of El Serpentario, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
(text/photo: Marlin Harms)
Red-Worm Lizard or White-bellied lizard (Amphisbaena alba)
- The Red-worm lizard is the largest and most widespread amphisbaenid in the Neotropics, it is found in most of South America, east of the Andes and it is relatively common on Trinidad
- This species is pronominally a burrowing species and is rarely seen above ground
- Evidence had been provided that it often associates with leaf cutter ant nests
- Clutch sizes of 8-16 have been reported for a Brazil population that has its activity period restricted to the dry season
- This species is found in a variety of natural habitats including savanna and rainforest, as well as in altered cultivated or forested areas
I do not own these images or this information
![reptilefacts:
European Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus)
The European Worm Lizard, also known as the Iberian Worm Lizard, is a species of reptile in the family Amphisbaenidae (worm lizards). It is locally known as “Cobra-cega” (Portuguese), “culebrilla ciega” (Spanish) and “colobreta cega” (Catalan) meaning ‘blind snake’.
This species is found in the southern section of the Iberian Peninsula, southwards of rivers Ebro and Douro. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, arable land, and pastureland where it may be found under logs and rocks, especially after storms.
Adults may reach a total length of 10–20 cm (4–8 in). Like other amphisbaenids the European Worm Lizard is a timid burrowing reptile that feeds on worms and other small invertebrates. Sometimes they have been found inhabiting ant colonies. This species is oviparous and it is threatened by habitat loss.
Photo and info source: [1]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_masmihtRv51r9x8dno1_500.jpg)
European Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus)
The European Worm Lizard, also known as the Iberian Worm Lizard, is a species of reptile in the family Amphisbaenidae (worm lizards). It is locally known as “Cobra-cega” (Portuguese), “culebrilla ciega” (Spanish) and “colobreta cega” (Catalan) meaning ‘blind snake’.
This species is found in the southern section of the Iberian Peninsula, southwards of rivers Ebro and Douro. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, arable land, and pastureland where it may be found under logs and rocks, especially after storms.
Adults may reach a total length of 10–20 cm (4–8 in). Like other amphisbaenids the European Worm Lizard is a timid burrowing reptile that feeds on worms and other small invertebrates. Sometimes they have been found inhabiting ant colonies. This species is oviparous and it is threatened by habitat loss.
Photo and info source: [1]
Mexican Mole Lizard (Bipes biporus)
by IUCN staff
This fossorial (burrowing) species requires areas with sandy soils with abundant leaf litter; it is rarely seen on the surface. The general habitat in its area of distribution is dryland and desert, with xeric shrub vegetation. Animals are often collected close to fenceposts, and populations are believed to be able to survive in moderately disturbed landscapes. They construct an elaborate system of burrows just below the surface, usually centered on stands of vegetation.
This species is endemic to the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, where it ranges from extreme southwestern Baja California State through western Baja California Sur, to the Isthmus of La Paz and the western Cape Region. It is probably a relatively abundant species, but it is secretive and is not often encountered. Papenfuss (1982) collected 2,719 specimens in an extensive study of the species…
(read more: IUCN)
(TL - Bradford D. Hllingsworth; TR - Dr. Jessie Maisano via: Digimorph; BL - via Mexico Herps; BR - uncredited)
Bipes biporus, an Amphisbaenian from Mexico. (via: Live Science)
The Mexican Mole Lizard (Bipes biporus) from baja California is the most distinctive and interesting reptile in all Mexico. This species is endemic to the Southern baja California. Two other species are known from the southwestern Pacific coast of Mexico.
For more information visit www.wormlizard.org
AJOLOTE (Bipes biporus)
The Mexican mole lizard, five-toed worm lizard, or Ajolote , is one of four amphisbaenians that have legs. They are pink 6–9-inch (15–23 cm) lizard-like reptiles that live for 1 to 2 years and eat ground dwelling insects and earthworms. 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 backlegs have disappeared and are visible only as vestigial bones in X-rays…
(read more: Wikipedia)
Bipes canaliculatus Encountered Burrowing Into Soil
The genus Bipes has only three species; Bipes biporus characterized by the possesion of five fingers on the hands, Bipes canaliculatus with four fingers and Bipes tridactylus with only three. This animal is Bipes canalicatus. It inhabits a small area of mexico. Its population is very small, and knowledge of its courtship, mating practices, and general behavior is poorly known.
