Pseudopus apodus - European legless lizard

The Sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus), also known as the European legless lizard, is a fascinating reptile native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It inhabits rocky slopes, semi-humid grasslands, and lightly wooded areas. These lizards are ground-dwelling and burrowers, requiring a habitat in captivity that replicates their natural environment, where they experience warm summers and cooler winters.

There are two options to house a scheltopusik, , provide an enclosure that measures at least 120 x 60 x 60 cm. Larger spaces are better to accommodate their active lifestyle. Use a substrate blend of topsoil, sand, and coconut fiber to mimic their natural habitat, ensuring it is deep enough (at least 15 cm) for digging. Add enrichment features such as cork bark, rocks, branches, and hides, while avoiding sharp objects to prevent injury. Live or artificial plants can also create a more engaging and naturalistic setup.

Temperature gradients are crucial for their health. The basking spot should reach 32-35°C, while the cooler end of the enclosure stays at 20-24°C. At night, temperatures can safely drop to 16-20°C. Maintain humidity levels at 50-60%, achieved through light misting once or twice daily. Monitoring tools like digital thermometers and hygrometers are essential to ensure proper conditions.

Lighting is equally important, as Sheltopusiks are diurnal. They need a T5 HO UVB light spanning 50-70% of the enclosure to support calcium metabolism and overall health. Pair this with a heat lamp that emits UVA light for basking, and provide a 12-hour light cycle to simulate natural day and night patterns.

Sheltopusiks are carnivorous, thriving on a varied diet of crickets, mealworms, superworms, snails, and occasional vertebrate prey like pinky mice or quail eggs. Juveniles should be fed daily, while adults can be fed every 2-3 days. Dust their food with calcium supplements daily and multivitamins weekly to ensure balanced nutrition.

A shallow water dish should always be available, with fresh water provided daily and the dish cleaned weekly. While these lizards tolerate handling better than some species, they are not naturally social and may become defensive, especially if stressed. Handle them sparingly to avoid potential tail loss or thrashing.

With a lifespan of 20-50 years and an adult length of up to 120 cm, Sheltopusiks are a long-term commitment. Regular cleaning of their enclosure, including daily removal of waste and substrate changes every 3-6 months, is essential for maintaining a healthy environment.

These lizards make intriguing pets for intermediate reptile keepers, provided their specific environmental and dietary needs are met. Their unique appearance and behaviors make them a rewarding species to care for in captivity