Scheltopusik
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Scheltopusik ( Pseudopus apodus apodus ) |
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
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| Merrem , 1820 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Pseudopus apodus | ||||||||||||
| ( Pallas , 1775) |
The Scheltopusik or the crawfish ( Pseudopus apodus , syn .: Ophisaurus apodus ) is a species of lizard within the family of the sneaks (Anguidae). This largest sneak reaches a total length of 1.4 meters. The name "Scheltopusik" comes from Russian ( Желтопузик ) and means something like "yellow belly".
features
The snake-like body of the Scheltopusik is yellow to red-brown with a paler, yellowish underside, the head, which is also somewhat paler, is strong and hardly set off. Young animals are light gray with brown horizontal stripes in the first two to three years, and their body scales are keeled and later become almost smooth. The extremities are almost completely reduced, only two to three millimeters long rudiments of the receding hind legs are preserved near the cloacal opening. The eyes are protected by movable eyelids. From the head end to the base of the tail, a furrow runs along both sides of the animal's sides.
The tail of the Scheltopusik is normally about 1.5 times as long as the rest of the animal and ends pointed. It has only a limited ability to autotomy : if part of the tail is lost, it will grow back significantly shorter and darker. The scales of the Scheltopusik are arranged in a diamond shape and underlaid with skin bone plates , which makes the animal feel harder than its little relative, the slow worm .
Occurrence
The distribution area of the Scheltopusik is the Balkan Peninsula and offshore islands, Asia Minor , the Caucasus area , Iraq and Iran and extends east to Central Asia .
The lizards prefer dry, warm, loosely vegetated biotopes at altitudes up to 2300 meters, which should be moderately humid. Bushes and rubble are accepted as hiding places. They can also be found in cultivated land, in vineyards or stone walls.
Pseudopus apodus is also a fossil from Germany, from the Hambach opencast mine in four million year old sediments of the Pliocene .
Way of life
The Scheltopusik is diurnal and sunbathes frequently and extensively, but is also active when it rains. In the event of danger he flees very quickly or, relying on his camouflage, simply lies still and quiet. If the animal is grasped, it tries to free itself from the grip by powerful movements in which it rotates around its own axis. If this remains unsuccessful, Scheltopusiks lapse into fright . Biting is not part of the defense behavior. Winter dormancy occurs in the period from October to March , followed by the mating season in March .
nutrition
The Scheltopusik has typical broad teeth with which it grinds its prey, which, depending on the habitat, mainly includes insects and snails, more rarely small birds and their eggs or small mammals such as mice. It is useful to humans as a pest killer. He stalks his prey in short stages, in between he remains absolutely calm for minutes until he has come close enough to be able to quickly grab the prey from above.
Reproduction and development
The clutch of the female comprises six to twelve eggs. Brood care has been proven sporadically, with the female wrapping around the clutch. The animal sheds its skin about every two months, pushing the skin together and shedding it as a bulge.
Systematics
A distinction is made between two subspecies, the nominate form P. a. apodus in the Caucasus and P. a. thracius , which also includes European animals.
attitude
In captivity, the Scheltopusik can live over 50 years. In a temperate climate, free-range farming is only possible in the really warm season. A room terrarium should be warm (25–30 ° C) and dry. The heating can be switched off at night. The dwelling should be sprayed from time to time, especially during the moult. A little clean water is enough. Fine sand mixed with leaves is suitable as a substrate. Shelter in the form of stones, bark and roots must be provided. It is fed with grasshoppers, earthworms, mealworms, small snails and young mice. Lean raw meat and fish cut into strips are also accepted. The compatibility with animals of approximately the same size is usually good. Wintering is advisable.
literature
- Jan Bergman: News about the herpetofauna of Skiathos Island, Northern Sporades, Greece. In: Herpetofauna. Vol. 17, No. 98, 1995, ISSN 0172-7761 , pp. 26-28.
- Wolfgang Bischoff: On the reproduction of the Scheltopusik. In: aquariums, terrariums . Vol. 21, 1974, ISSN 0323-5610 , p. 426.
- Obst, FJ "On the geographical variability of the scheltopusik, Ophisaurus apodus (Pallas)." Zoological treatises Staatlichen Museum für Tierkunde in Dresden 8.20 (1978): 197-201.
- Axel Kwet: Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe. Kosmos, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-440-10237-8 , pp. 198-199.
- Benny Trapp: Amphibians and reptiles of mainland Greece. NTV, Münster 2007, ISBN 978-3-86659-022-9 , pp. 142-145.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Obst FJ: "On the geographical variability of the scheltopusik, Ophisaurus apodus (Pallas)." Ed .: Zoological treatises State Museum for Animal Science in Dresden. 8.20 edition. Dresden 1978, p. 197-201 .