Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this is some sort of lizard, not a snake, but I also know half the people in snakes also know lizards, and any help with this apreciated. I posted in the Lizards what is it but seems more people check the snake one. So here was the question.

My grandma wrote me a letter today. She lives in SanDiego California. I remember when I was a kid growing up I used to catch little fence lizards and sometimes Aligator Lizards in her backyard as she has ALOT of different plants growing back there in her garden.
She writes me "What is it?! As I was digging out weeds a "critter" scooted a few feet away. It was about 6 Inches long, Head like a Lizard, but ONLY a FRONT pair of Legs!! Back end was like a snake, front legs propelled it. Dark Greyish green in color. It looked half lizard half snake. Is this possible? or just a wonder of nature?"

I have no idea what to tell her since I didn't see it myself. I don't know if something just got ahold of BOTH it's back legs and ate them off? If it is possible a lizard was just BORN with only front legs? Has anyone heard of that happening? Any ideas?

What you describe sounds like what is known as a "worm lizard" possibly Baja worm lizard(Bipes biporus) this could have easily gotten there from a nursery shipment, as did the Brahminy blind snake which is VERY small and "worm-like" originally from the carribean Islands, and is now flourishing throughout the lower tropical states.......the Baja worm snake has only short, stubby, powerful legs that it uses for burrowing in soil, in search of ants, and termites.......hope this helps,........Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

I am probably very wrong as to the exact animal, as she said "the head was very lizard-like", and the worm lizard looks worm-like,....but in any case, it is certainly a lizard. And I don't have many lizard books, only snake books!, sorry, I'm sure someone will come along with the correct answer, best regards,..........................................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Is there any record of Bipes in the U.S.??
I know they are found in Baja California, but have never heard of one in the States.
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

n/p
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

..interested if they had been seen in the US. I know nothing about them at all.
Have you been to Mexico and seen them before??
Closest I can come is our native Rhineura floridana.
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

Quite alright,...I didn't think you were being sarcastic about it......I was sort of embarrased that I went through that whole shpeel and later found that she indeed said that the head was very "lizard-like"!LOL....so that shot my post right in the a@#.!!LOL........anyway,...no, I'd certainly like to go one day!LOL.....I really don't know a whole lot about lizards, only snakes. I did run across the Florida version of the "Worm snake" like you stated on "google", and they don't seem to have the arms like the ones from Baja.........in any case, the more I thought about it, unless there are more than just those two types, I was also inclined to think like "Chrish" stated, that it was probably a Skink. because like he said, they have a very shiny "snake-like" appearance body-wise, and in the face, short legs, with the rear legs being set far back on the body, and sometimes do sort of tuck them in and drag them for short distances...this is very likely what it was.......what do you think?......best regards,.................................Doug

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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

I'd agree that it was most likely a skink..

Here's a Rhineura floridana

they do not have legs..
More pics at one of my sites below...

:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

You have some absolutely stunning photos on there!!...I really like the crisp, clear shots with the natural settings, and props!!, those are super,......best regards,............Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Thanks! (sorry for the delayed response,I have been in n. FL)
I'm going to update all my stuff and maybe get a "real" site someday...

:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

Many skinks will move this way, with their front legs only. They often fold their hind legs along the body and wiggle away like that.
Of course, alligators lizards will do the same thing sometimes.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Yeah, and I like how they slide to a stop sometimes.
Fun to watch.
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

OK, I think it could be a bipes.