Sheltopusik

The sheltopusik, commonly known as Pallas's glass lizard or the European legless lizard, is a captivating reptile indigenous to regions ranging from Southern Europe to Central Asia. Its name derives from the Russian term meaning "yellow-bellied." First documented by Peter Simon Pallas in 1775 as Lacerta apoda, it was subsequently reclassified into its own genus, Pseudopus, having been previously grouped under Ophisaurus.

The sheltopusik can reach an impressive length of up to 135 cm (4.43 ft). Its tan body, adorned with ring-like markings, can give it the appearance of a giant earthworm. However, unlike snakes, the sheltopusik features distinct ears, eyelids, and ventral scales. You may also notice small rear legs near its cloaca, though they are not very prominent.

These lizards thrive in open habitats such as grasslands and wooded hills. Their diet consists of arthropods, small mammals, snails, and slugs. When threatened, the sheltopusik can hiss, bite, and release a foul-smelling musk. Unlike some other lizards, it rarely sheds its tail, but if it does, the tail will regrow, albeit shorter and darker.

Sheltopusiks are popular in the exotic pet trade due to their adaptability to captivity. However, they prefer minimal handling. They have a varied diet and can live up to 50 years. In terms of reproduction, the female typically lays about eight eggs after mating. These eggs hatch after 45 to 55 days, and the young begin eating approximately four days after hatching.