Scheltopusik

Taxobox
name = Scheltopusik


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Anguidae
genus = "Ophisaurus"
species = "O. apodus"
binomial = "Ophisaurus apodus"
binomial_authority = Pallas, 1775
synonyms = "Pseudopus apodus"

The Scheltopusik or European Legless Lizard ("Ophisaurus apodus") is a large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia. Its common name comes from the Russian " _ru. желтопузик" (literally "yellow-bellied").

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 their legs are barely discernible, they can be easily distinguished from a snake by their ears, their eye lids, and ventral scales.

Habitat & Behaviour

This lizard likes open country, such as short grassland, or sparsely wooded hills. Scheltopusik consume arthropods, and small mammals. Snails and slugs appear to be its favorite prey. This may be the reason for which 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.

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 fifty years.

Approxiamtely 10 weeks after mating the female lays about 8 eggs which she hides under bark or a stone and often guards them. The babies hatch after 45 - 55 days. They´re about 15 cm long and usually start to eat after four days.

References

cite web
title = The Sheltopusik, Pseudopus [Ophisaurus] apodus: Natural History and Care
work =
publisher = Cyber Lizard U.K.
date = 2003-09-28
url = http://www.cyberlizard.plus.com/pseudopus_apoda.htm
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-01-19

cite web
title = Sheltopusik Care Sheet and Information
work =
publisher = Western New York Herpetological Society
date = 2008
url = http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/lizards/sheltopusik.php
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-01-19

cite web
last = Kaplan
first = Melissa
title = Glass Lizard - Glass Snake - Legless Lizard
work =
publisher = Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection
date = 1997
url = http://www.anapsid.org/legless.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-01-19

cite web
title = European Glass Lizard
work =
publisher = Wild Natures
date = 2006-09
url = http://www.wild-natures.com/pseudopus_apodus.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-01-19

cite web
title = Giant Legless Lizard
work =
publisher = Central Pets
date = 2008-01-19
url = http://www.centralpets.com/animals/reptiles/lizards/lzd2700.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-01-19