The sheltopusik, also spelled scheltopusik, sheltopusick, scheltopusick, sheltopusic, or scheltopusic (Pseudopus apodus), and also commonly known as Pallas's glass lizard, the European legless lizard, or the European glass lizard, is a species of large glass lizard found from Southern Europe to Central Asia.
Taxonomy The sheltopusik was previously included in the genus Ophisaurus, but has since been placed in its own genus Pseudopus. It was originally described in 1775 by Peter Simon Pallas as Lacerta apoda. There are three subspecies:
P. a. apodus (Pallas, 1775) – the type subspecies, ranging from Crimea through Transcaucasia, east to Central Asia as far as Kazakhstan P. a. levantinus Jablonski, Ribeiro-Junior, Meiri, Maza, Mikulíček & Janzik, 2021 – restricted to the Levant, from southern Turkey south to Israel and Palestine P. a. thracicus (Obst, 1978) – the westernmost subspecies, ranging from Croatia to Greece, east to western Turkey Despite only being described in 2021, P. a. levantinus is the largest and most genetically diverse of the subspecies, indicating an older and more complex evolutionary history compared to its sister subspecies.
Etymology Pseudopus apodus comes from Greek ψευδοποδος άποδος, literally meaning "fake-legged" or without legs. The common name "sheltopusik" comes from Russian желтопузик (zheltopuzik), which translates most directly as "yellow-bellied".
Skull anatomy
The skull is elongated, twice as long as it is wide and widest at the posteroventral portions of the jugals, where the cheeks proceed to narrow into the snout. The exonarial fenestra (external naris) is similarly elongated and elliptical. The orbits, which lie in a posterior portion of the anterior part of the skull, are large. The premaxillary–maxilla has an elongated opening and has rounded ends. It is positioned between the forked premaxillary process of the maxilla and the maxillary and vomeromaxillary processes of the premaxilla.
Description 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 large 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. This species exhibit sexual dimorphism as males are on average larger than females.
Habitat and behaviour
P. apodus inhabits open country, such as short grassland or sparsely wooded hills. A preference for microhabitats that exhibit areas with sunlight and shade close together has been observed. 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. Breaking through the shells of snails is an especially easy task due to their teeth and jaw structure.
Defensive behaviour
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. The replacement tail may grow back to full length after an extended period of time.
Reproduction About 10 weeks after mating, the female P. apodus lays about eight eggs, which she hides under bark or a stone, and often guards them. The young hatch after 45 to 55 days. They are typically about 15 cm (5.9 in) long and usually start to eat after four days.
In captivity
Sheltopusiks 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. They are even known to accept these meals from a keeper's tweezers, or even from their hands once they become used to captivity. However, sheltopusiks do get excited around food and have surprisingly powerful jaws. They make hardy captives, capable of living up to 50 years.
Relationship with humans Remains of the Levant subspecies (P. a. levantinus) are known from Natufian sites in Israel, suggesting that it was eaten by the local population at the time.
Gallery
References
Further reading Arnold EN, Burton JA (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe. London: Collins. 272 pp. + Plates 1-40. (Ophisaurus apodus, pp. 175, 178 + Plate 33, figures 1a-1b + Map 94). Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II. ... Anguidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I-XXIV. (Ophisaurus apus, new combination, pp. 280–281). Pallas PS (1775). "Lacerta apoda, descripta". Novi Comentarii Academiae Scientiarum Imperialis Petropolitanae 19: 435-454 + Plates IX-X. (Lacerta apoda, new species). (in Latin).
External links
"The Scheltopusik, Pseudopus [Ophisaurus ] apodus: Natural History and Care". Cyber Lizard U.K. 2003-09-28. Retrieved 2008-01-19. "Scheltopusik Care Sheet and Information". Western New York Herpetological Society. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-19. Kaplan, Melissa (1997). "Glass Lizard - Glass Snake - Legless Lizard". Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection. Retrieved 2008-01-19. "European Glass Lizard". Wild Natures. September 2006. Archived from the original on 2008-04-02. Retrieved 2008-01-19. "Giant Legless Lizard". Central Pets. 2008-01-19. Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
