Meet the tiny “noodle with arms” that lives under the sand.

What is the Mexican mole lizard? It’s a small, pink, burrowing reptile called Bipes biporus. It looks like a worm with two little front legs, no back legs, and it lives in Baja California, Mexico. It digs, hides, and minds its own business underground.

Quick Answer

The Mexican mole lizard is a pink, burrowing reptile (a “worm lizard”) with two short front legs and no back legs. Its scientific name is Bipes biporus, and it lives in sandy soil on the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.

Why It Looks Like a Noodle With Arms

Its body is long and smooth, like a noodle. The skin has tiny rings, like a bendy straw. Up front, it has two small, strong “paddle” arms. These help it scoop sand. There are no back legs at all.

Where It Lives

This animal lives under sandy ground in Baja California, Mexico. It likes dry places with loose sand. It makes tunnels just below the surface.

What It Eats

It is a meat eater. It snacks on ants, termites, beetle grubs, and other small bugs. It grabs food, then pulls it into its tunnel to eat in peace.

How It Moves

It wriggles and pushes like a tiny bulldozer. The front arms shovel. The body squeezes forward. It is built for life under the sand.

Baby Mole Lizard Facts

In summer, the mom lays 1 to 4 eggs underground. The eggs hatch in about two months. The babies start pink and get paler as they grow.

Is It a Lizard or a Snake?

It is a special kind of reptile called an “amphisbaenian,” also known as a worm lizard. It is not a snake. It is its own cool group, related to lizards and snakes.

Tricks to Stay Safe

If danger comes, its tail can pop off like a plug. The tail does not grow back, but it can block the tunnel for a quick escape.

Why People Rarely See It

It comes up at night or after rain. Most of the time, it stays hidden under rocks, logs, or sandy soil. If you blink, you’ll miss it!

Fast Facts (Show-and-Tell Ready)

• Name: Mexican mole lizard (Bipes biporus)
• Look: Pink, smooth, noodle-like body
• Arms: Two tiny front legs; no back legs
• Home: Baja California, Mexico
• Job: Tunnel maker and bug eater
• Babies: 1–4 eggs; hatch in ~2 months
• Safety trick: Tail can drop off to escape
• Friendly? Yes—harmless to people

Why It Matters

This shy digger helps keep bug numbers in check and turns the soil as it tunnels. Think of it as a tiny gardener under your feet.

Sources

• Animal Diversity Web — Bipes biporus (Five-toed Worm Lizard)
• Valdez-Villavicencio et al., 2022 — Bipes biporus account (PDF)
• Wikipedia — Mexican mole lizard (general overview)

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