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Ophisaurus apodus Pallas


Ophisaurus apodus Pallas
Photo Information
Copyright: Ena Simic (Ena) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 61 N: 591] (2458)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-17
Categories: Reptiles
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-30 4:24
Viewed: 1922
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ophisaurus apodus Pallas

The Scheltopusik or European Legless Lizard (Ophisaurus apodus) is a large glass lizard found from southern Europe to Central Asia. Its common name comes from the Russian желтопузик (literally yellow-bellied).

Description

This lizard can reach a length of 135 cm. It has a tan coloration, 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 their legs are barely discernible, they can be easily distinguished from a snake by their ears, their eye lids, and ventral scales.

Habitat & Behaviour

This lizard likes open country, such as short grassland, or sparsely wooded hills. Scheltopusik consume arthropods, and small mammals. Snails and slugs appear to be its favorite prey. This may be the reason for which it is particularly active in wet weather, although it prefers a dry habitat.

Due to its size, the scheltopusik 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.

In captivity

They 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 which they even accept from a keeper´s tweezers once they become used to captivity. They make hardy captives, capable of living up to fifty years.

Approxiamtely 10 weeks after mating the female lays about 8 eggs which she hides under bark or a stone and often guards them. The babies hatch after 45 - 55 days. They´re about 15 cm long and usually start to eat after four days.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Anguidae
Genus: Ophisaurus
Species: O. apodus

Source: Wikipedia
robgra, Gert-Paassen, jpdenk, rousettus, Dillinger, sranjan has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Ena

Good shot of this unusual legless lizard.
Good sharpness
Good composition
Great DOF and POV
Good background

Chris

Hi Ena.
This legless lizard's Super picture. Very good sharpness. Great bravos.
I greet Robert.

Hello Ena,

Good capture from this legless Lizard.
Very good sharpness and details.

Gert

One of the most fascinating lizards I've EVER seen. The worm-like appearance is amazing. Great capture!

Good shot of this lizard, seldom seen, the details are good and the animal is in full frame, good work... regards h

Hi Ena,

An excellent shot of this bizarre and interesting animal.

Thanks,
John

Hello Ena,
this is very nice shot for O. apodus. Nice details, POV and composition.
Recently I also added this species' post. Many people think on it as a snake, even if somebody call it as Yellow Snake.
Thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

E' una specie che non ho mai visto; complimenti per la bella foto!

Ciao e grazie, Emanuele

Hello Ena,
It's for the first time I have ever seen such rare legless lizard. Very sharp image with amazing POV & details. This must be one of the few examples of connecting links between lizard & snakes. It is also evident as per your notes, that they differ from snakes by means of ears, their eye lids, and ventral scales. TFS.
Best wishes-Subhash

Bog Ena :)
odlično si ga uhvatila, obično je jako brz :)
Pozdrav sa Širokog

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