BAJA CALIFORNIA WORM LIZARD Bipes biporus – Cope 1894

IDENTIFICATION: DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT: Habitat, 50′, Baja California Sur, Mexico Habitat, 50′, Baja California, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY: TAXONOMY: TYPE: PERSONAL NOTES: In December, 2001 some friends and I tried digging for Bipes biporus in the Viscaino Desert, SE of Guerrero Negro. At the edge of a wash we found the shed [...]]]>
Adult, 20′, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Close-up of head

BAJA CALIFORNIA WORM LIZARD
Bipes biporus – Cope 1894

IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:

Habitat, 50′, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Habitat, 50′, Baja California, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:
TAXONOMY:
TYPE:
PERSONAL NOTES:
In December, 2001 some friends and I tried digging for Bipes biporus in the Viscaino Desert, SE of Guerrero Negro. At the edge of a wash we found the shed skin of a Bipes beneath a rock. Plenty of tunnel systems were excavated but no individuals were found. In June, 2002 we again visited Baja California Sur and succeeded in finding Bipes in the city of La Paz thanks to a knowledgable local. Fresh tracks were seen in several localities in the course of several evenings, and one Phrynosoma coronatum was found sleeping beneath the sand just above where the Bipes was excavated.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Bipes biporus is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. Populations are stable and this species thrives in the midst of civilization.
REFERENCES:
Papenfuss, T. J. 1982. The Ecology and Systematics of the Amphisbaenian Genus Bipes. Occ. Pap. California Acad. Sci., 136:1-42.

IDENTIFICATION: DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT: NATURAL HISTORY: TAXONOMY: TYPE: PERSONAL NOTES: I have no experience with this species. CONSERVATION STATUS: Bipes canaliculatus is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to it’s abundance and ability to thrive in areas dominated by human activity. REFERENCES: Papenfuss, T. J. 1982. The Ecology and Systematics of the Amphisbaenian Genus Bipes. Occ. Pap. California Acad. [...]]]> BALSAS WORM LIZARD
Bipes canaliculatus – Bonnaterre 1789

IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:
NATURAL HISTORY:
TAXONOMY:
TYPE:
PERSONAL NOTES:
I have no experience with this species.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Bipes canaliculatus is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to it’s abundance and ability to thrive in areas dominated by human activity.
REFERENCES:
Papenfuss, T. J. 1982. The Ecology and Systematics of the Amphisbaenian Genus Bipes. Occ. Pap. California Acad. Sci., 136:1-42.

IDENTIFICATION: DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT: Pacific Lowland Habitat, 100′, Guerrero, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY: TAXONOMY: TYPE: PERSONAL NOTES: I have searched for this species at the Rio Tecpan on one occasion and although tunnel systems were abundant I failed to locate any Bipes tridactylus. CONSERVATION STATUS: Bipes tridactylus is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to it’s abundance and ability [...]]]> THREE-TOED WORM LIZARD
Bipes tridactylus – Duges 1894

IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:

HABITAT:

Pacific Lowland Habitat, 100′, Guerrero, Mexico

NATURAL HISTORY:
TAXONOMY:
TYPE:
PERSONAL NOTES:
I have searched for this species at the Rio Tecpan on one occasion and although tunnel systems were abundant I failed to locate any Bipes tridactylus.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Bipes tridactylus is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to it’s abundance and ability to thrive in areas dominated by human activity.
REFERENCES:
Papenfuss, T. J. 1982. The Ecology and Systematics of the Amphisbaenian Genus Bipes. Occ. Pap. California Acad. Sci., 136:1-42.