Pseudopus apodus
| Sheltopusik | |
|---|---|
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| Pseudopus apodus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Anguidae |
| Genus: | Pseudopus |
| Species: | P. apodus |
| Binomial name | |
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Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775) |
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| Synonyms | |
The sheltopusik/ˌʃɛltəˈpjuːzᵻk/ (Pseudopus apodus), also commonly called Pallas' glass lizard or the European legless lizard, is a species of large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia.
The common name sheltopusik comes from Russian желтопузик (zheltopuzik), literally "yellow-bellied".
The sheltopusik was previously included in the genus Ophisaurus, but has been placed in its own genus Pseudopus. It was originally described in 1775 by Peter Simon Pallas as Lacerta apoda.
The sheltopusik can reach a length of 135 cm (4.43 ft). It is tan colored, 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, the sheltopusik can be quickly distinguished from a snake by its ears, eyelids, and ventral scales.
Pseudopus apodus inhabits open country, such as short grassland or sparsely wooded hills. It 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.
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Wikipedia