Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 – 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Sheltopusik, European Glass Lizard, Giant Russian Legless Lizard
Latin
name:
Ophisaurus apodus
Native
to:
Balkan Peninsula, Turkey, Syria and Caucasus to
central Asia
Size:
Adults range in size from three to four feet in
length weighing 11 to 21 ounces.
Life
span:
Captive specimens can often live 20 years or more.
General
appearance:
The first apparent feature of this lizard is the
lack of legs. To the untrained eye it can resemble a snake. It does have
eyelids, external ears, a large tail and uniform scale size like most other
lizards. It is brown to olive green in appearance with a lateral fold that runs
the length of the body, but not the tail. The tail often makes up half the
length of the lizard. The tail can demonstrate autonomy (breaking) but rarely
regenerates the tail back. Fortunately this lizard does not readily drop its
tail. O. apodus is the only European member of this genus and is the
only member that also demonstrates vestigial limbs in the form of spurs near
its vent.
Housing
requirements:
Enclosure:
A 20-gallon long aquarium is the minimum size
recommended for these lizards, though larger is often recommended. Hiding
places should be provided as well as rocks or branches to provide climbing
areas.
Temperature:
Daytime temperatures should be maintained between
70º to 85º F. Nighttime temperatures can be maintained approximately 10º F
lower at 60º to 75º F.
Heat/Light:
Heat can be provided by a number of different means,
including red heat bulbs, basking lights, or ceramic emitters. Be sure to
provide a photoperiod of approximately 12 hours daily. If using a red heat bulb
or ceramic emitter, the photoperiod can be provided with a standard fluorescent
bulb. There is no information requiring UVB for these lizards but some natural
sunlight may be beneficial for this species.
Substrate:
A 50/50 mix of sterilized soil and tropical play
sand mix is often the best substrate to use with this species. This will most
closely resemble their natural habitat and can usually be easily spot cleaned.
Environment:
In the wild, these legless lizards come from a
fairly dry environment and often can be found along rocky hillsides with many
places available for cover.
Diet:
A variety of invertebrates can be offered as food,
including crickets, mealworms and earthworms. In addition mice will also be
readily accepted. Pinkies or fuzzies are often a good choice but adult mice may
also be offered if it is cut into suitable sized pieces for the lizard to eat.
Fresh water should be offered daily.
Maintenance:
The enclosure should be spot cleaned daily. A
thorough cleaning should be performed on a regular basis. A 5% bleach solution
is an excellent disinfectant. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the enclosure before
replacing the substrate and placing the lizard back in the enclosure.
Other
references or recommended reading:
Mattison,
Chris. 1992 The Care of Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivity. Blanford Press,
London.
Kaplan,
Melissa. 1997
Glass
Lizard, Glass Snake, Legless Lizard
Available
On-Line:
http://www.anapsid.org/legless.html
Flank,
Lenny Jr.
Captive
Care of the Glass Lizards Available
On-Line:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2421/glassliz.htm