Scheltopusik
| Sheltopusik | |
|---|---|
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|
| Pseudopus apodus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Infraorder: | Anguimorpha |
| Family: | Anguidae |
| Subfamily: | Anguinae |
| Genus: | Pseudopus |
| Species: | P. apodus |
| Binomial name | |
|
Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775) |
|
| Synonyms | |
The sheltopusik, also spelled scheltopusik, also commonly called Pallas' glass lizard or the European legless lizard (Pseudopus apodus), is a species of large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia.
The common names, sheltopusik and scheltopusik, come from Russian: желтопузик, 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.
Due to its size, the sheltopusik 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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Wikipedia