Bipes is a
genus of
amphisbaenians found only in
Mexico, the sole living member of the
family Bipedidae. Commonly known as
ajolotes, they are
carnivorous,
burrowing reptiles, but unlike other
species of amphisbaenians, they possess two stubby forelimbs placed far forward on the body. The shovel-like limbs are used to scrape away
soil while burrowing through the soil, in a manner similar to a
mole. Evidence for their occurrence in the United States is reviewed by Somma (1993).