Description: The sheltopusik can reach a length of 4.43 feet. It is tan colored, paler on the ventral surface and the head, with a ring-like/segmented appearance that makes it look like 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 the legs are barely discernible, the sheltopusik can be quickly distinguished from a snake by its ears, eyelids, and ventral scales.
Habitat:P. apodus inhabits open country, such as short grassland or sparsely wooded hills. It consumes arthropods and small mammals. Snails and slugs appear to be its favorite prey, which may explain why it is particularly active in wet weather, although it prefers a dry habitat. Breaking through the shells of snails is an especially easy task due to their teeth and jaw structure.
Range: Introduced into California. Greece (incl. Limnos, Rhodos, Lesbos, Corfu = Corfou, Chios, Samos), coastal Croatia, Hercegovina, Monte Negro, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Lebanon, European Soviet Union (Caucasus, Dagestan), S Russia (Dagestan), S Ukraine, Republic of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, W Tajikistan, S Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel.
Diet: It consumes arthropods and small mammals. Snails and slugs appear to be its favorite prey, which may explain why it is particularly active in wet weather, although it prefers a dry habitat.
Reproduction: About 10 weeks after mating, the female P. apodus lays about eight eggs, which she hides under bark or a stone, and often guards them. The young hatch after 45 to 55 days. They are typically about 5.9 inch long and usually start to eat after four days.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
Subspecies: None in our region
Taxonomy: The sheltopusik was previously included in the genus Ophisaurus, but has since been placed in its own genus Pseudopus. It was originally described in 1775 by Peter Simon Pallas as Lacerta apoda.
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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