European Glass Lizard

1 Overview

The European glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus), also the scheltopusik, looks like a snake but is not one – the largest of the legless lizards (anguids). From northern Caucasus and parts of Asia.

SOURCE NOTE: the source gave ‘Ophisaurus apodus’; the current binomial is Pseudopus apodus. It is a lizard (not a snake) – note the eyelids and external ear openings.

2 Appearance

Looks very snake-like but has closable eyelids (true snakes lack them) and external ear openings (snakes lack them). Total length 100-120 cm, appears limbless but retains vestigial limbs. A lateral groove below the body expands when swallowing. Lifespan about 50 years.

3 Habitat & Environment

Snake-like but distinguishable by details. Mostly kept in zoos; private keeping is harder. From northern Caucasus, parts of the Middle East, and Soviet central Asia; lives under forest-floor leaf litter. Distributed in the Balkans; a separate population on Crimea and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus.

4 Diet & Feeding

From northern Caucasus, parts of the Middle East, Soviet central Asia; lives under forest-floor leaf litter. Carnivorous, invertebrate feeder; zoos feed crickets and pinky mice.