Scheltopusik
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| Ophisaurus apodus Pallas, 1775 |
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Pseudopus apodus |
The Scheltopusik or European Legless Lizard (Ophisaurus apodus) is a large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia.
[edit] 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. Small (2 mm) rear legs are sometimes visible near the cloaca. Though their legs are barely discernable, they can be easily distinguished from a snake by their ears and their eye lids.
[edit] Habitat & Behaviour
This lizard likes open country, such as short grassland, or sparsely wooded hills. Scheltopusik consume arthropods, and small mammals. It is particularly active in wet weather, although it prefers a dry habitat.
Due to its size, the scheltopusik is more likely to respond to harassment by hissing and biting and is less likely to drop off its tail like some other species. If part of the tail is lost, it grows back, but is shorter and darker.
[edit] 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, and small mice. They make hardy captives, capable of living up to fifty years.
