Sheltopusik

Scheltopusik ( Pseudopus apodus )

The Scheltopusik or the armored worm ( Pseudopus apodus ) ( Syn: Ophisaurus apodus ) is a lizard species within the family of Sneak ( Anguidae ). The largest worm reaches a total length up to 1.4 meters. The name " Scheltopusik " ​​comes from the Russian and means something like " yellow belly".

Features

The snake-like fuselage of the Scheltopusik is yellow to reddish brown with paler yellowish underside, which is also somewhat paler head is strong and hardly sold. Pups are light gray with brown horizontal stripes in the first two to three years, also the body scales are keeled with them and later almost smooth. The extremities are almost completely reduced, only from the back formed hind legs are still two to three millimeters long rudiments get near the cloacal opening. The eyes are protected by movable eyelids. From the head end to the tail a skin furrow draws both sides on the sides of the animal along.

The tail of the Scheltopusik is in the normal state about 1.5 times as long as the rest of the animal and ends pointed. He has only a limited capacity for autotomy: is a part of the tail is lost, it grows much shorter and darker. The scales of the Scheltopusik are diamond-shaped and arranged lined with skin bone plates, whereby the animal feels harder than his little relatives, the slow worm.

Occurrence

The distribution area of Scheltopusik is the Balkan Peninsula and offshore islands, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Iraq and Iran and extends east to Central Asia.

The lizards prefer dry warm, loosely covered habitats at altitudes up to 2300 meters above sea level, which should be slightly moist. Here, bushes and boulders are assumed to be hiding. Even in cultivated land in vineyards or stone walls are to be found.

Fossil is Pseudopus apodus also from Germany, from the Hambach mine in four million year old sediments of the Pliocene detected.

Way of life

The Scheltopusik is diurnal and basks frequently and extensively, but is also active in the rain. In case of danger, he flees rapidly or remains, relying on his camouflage, just lie still and quiet. If the animal is taken, it tries to free himself from the grip through vigorous movements in which it rotates around its own axis. If this is unsuccessful, expire Scheltopusiks in akinesia. Biting is not part of defensive behavior. In the period from October to March it comes to winter dormancy, followed in March the mating season.

Nutrition

The species-specific Scheltopusik has wide teeth with which it crushes its prey, depending on the habitat includes molluscs, insects, grasshoppers, snails, rare small birds and their eggs or small mammals such as mice. At his prey he stalks in short stages, which he every now and again for minutes absolutely quiet behaves until it has gotten close enough to quickly take the prey from above can. Since most of its diet consists of insect pests, the Scheltopusik for humans is very useful.

Reproduction and Development

The nest of the female consists of six to twelve eggs. Brood care is demonstrated sporadically, thereby wraps the female's eggs. Approximately every two months, the animal sheds its skin, the skin is pushed together and repelled as a bead.

System

There are two different subspecies, the nominate form P. a apodus in the Caucasus and P. a Thracius, which also includes the European animals belong.

Attitude

Despite its size, the Scheltopusik is a popular pet and can be old in captivity for over 50 years. Free range is possible in temperate climates only in the really hot season. A terrarium should be warm (25-30 ° C) and dry. At night, the heater can be switched off. Especially during molting why it is important to spray the dwelling. A little clean water is sufficient. As substrate is fine sand is mixed with fall foliage. For hiding places in the form of stones, bark and roots can be generated. The lining is of grasshoppers, earthworms, mealworms, small snails, young mice. Fish cut into pieces of lean raw meat and are also gladly accepted. The compatibility with approximately equal-sized animals is usually good. A winter is advised.