Sheltopusik

Scheltopusik
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Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Anguidae
Subfamily:	Anguinae
Genus:	Pseudopus
Species:	P. apodus
Binomial name
Pseudopus apodus Pallas, 1775
Synonyms
Ophisaurus apodus

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(video) Two schetopusiks fighting

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(video) Close up of a Sheltopusik in a zoo in Japan.

The sheltopusik, also spelled scheltopusik, or European legless lizard (Pseudopus apodus) is a large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia. Its common name comes from Russian: желтопузик, literally "yellow-bellied". It was previously in the genus Ophisaurus, but has been placed in its own genus Pseudopus.

Description

This lizard can reach a length of 135 cm. It has a tan coloration, paler on the ventral surface and the head, with a ring-like/segmented appearance that makes it look like a giant earthworm with a distinctive fold of skin down each side called a lateral groove. Small (2 mm) rear legs are sometimes visible near the cloaca. Though the legs are barely discernible, they can be easily distinguished from a snake by their ears, eyelids, and ventral scales.

Habitat and behaviour

This lizard inhabits open country such as short grassland or sparsely wooded hills. The scheltopusik consumes arthropods and small mammals. Snails and slugs appear to be its favorite prey, which may explain why it is particularly active in wet weather, although it prefers a dry habitat.

Due to its size, the scheltopusik tends to respond to harassment by hissing, biting, and musking. It is less likely to drop off its tail than some other species that display caudal autotomy. However, these occasional displays of caudal autotomy are responsible for the name "glass lizard" (or "glass snake"). The released tail may break into pieces, leading to the myth that the lizard can shatter like glass and reassemble itself later. In reality, if the tail is lost, it grows back slowly, but is shorter and darker; it may grow back to full length as it grows.

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Scheltopusik

In captivity

They are frequently available in the exotic pet trade, though rarely captive-bred. They do not typically tolerate a large amount of handling, but they adapt to captivity well, feeding on crickets, meal worms, small mice, eggs, snails or pieces of meat which they even accept from a keeper´s tweezers once they become used to captivity. They make hardy captives, capable of living up to 50 years.

About 10 weeks after mating, the female lays about eight eggs which she hides under bark or a stone, and often guards them. The young hatch after 45 – 55 days. They average about 15 cm long and usually start to eat after four days.

References

• List of reptiles of Italy