{"product_id":"european-legless-lizard","title":"European Legless Lizard","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"159\" data-end=\"186\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"159\" data-end=\"186\"\u003eEuropean Legless Lizard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"188\" data-end=\"297\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"188\" data-end=\"208\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"209\" data-end=\"227\"\u003ePseudopus apodus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"227\" data-end=\"230\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"230\" data-end=\"246\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e European Legless Lizard, Sheltopusik, Glass Lizard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-start=\"299\" data-end=\"302\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"304\" data-end=\"324\"\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"326\" data-end=\"461\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"326\" data-end=\"335\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adults typically reach \u003cstrong data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"383\"\u003e3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 m)\u003c\/strong\u003e in total length, making them one of the largest legless lizards in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"463\" data-end=\"960\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"463\" data-end=\"478\"\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e European Legless Lizards resemble snakes but differ in several key features, including eyelids, visible ear openings, and a stiff, muscular body with subtle vestigial limb remnants beneath the skin. Their coloration ranges from tan to brown, olive, or grey, often with faint speckling or gentle striping. Juveniles may show bolder lateral patterns that fade as they mature. Their heads are broad with expressive eyes, and their long tails can break easily as a defensive mechanism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"1089\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"979\"\u003eDistribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Found throughout southeastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, the Caucasus region, and parts of the Middle East.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1313\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1103\"\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e This species lives in grasslands, scrubland, rocky slopes, agricultural edges, and open woodlands. They favour places with loose soil for burrowing and plenty of cover, such as stone piles and fallen branches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1315\" data-end=\"1640\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1315\" data-end=\"1329\"\u003eBehaviour:\u003c\/strong\u003e European Legless Lizards are diurnal, alert, and both surface-active and fossorial. They feed on insects, snails, slugs, eggs, and occasional small vertebrates. When startled, they may vibrate their tail, hiss, or quickly retreat underground. Despite their size, they move with surprising speed on the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1645\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1647\" data-end=\"1663\"\u003eCaptive Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1964\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1679\"\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide a terrestrial enclosure at least \u003cstrong data-start=\"1721\" data-end=\"1768\"\u003e4 feet × 2 feet × 2 feet (120 × 60 × 60 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e for an adult. Include deep substrate such as a soil–sand mixture to allow burrowing, along with bark slabs, cork tubes, rocks, and stable hides. Offer both open exploration space and dense cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1966\" data-end=\"2246\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1966\" data-end=\"1995\"\u003eTemperature and Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"1998\"\u003eBasking area: 90–95°F (32–35°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2032\"\u003eAmbient temperature: 75–85°F (24–29°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2073\"\u003eNight temperatures: 65–72°F (18–22°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2110\" data-end=\"2113\"\u003eMaintain humidity between \u003cstrong data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2149\"\u003e40–60%\u003c\/strong\u003e, with slightly higher moisture retained in the deeper substrate layers. Ensure good ventilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2405\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2261\"\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide full-spectrum lighting with moderate UVB (5–10%). Bright lighting encourages surface basking and supports healthy skeletal development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2407\" data-end=\"2686\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2407\" data-end=\"2416\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer an omnivorous diet including crickets, roach nymphs, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, snails, slugs, eggs, and occasional pinky mice or lean meats. Fruits and vegetables can be given sparingly. Supplement food with calcium frequently and multivitamins weekly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"3004\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"2715\"\u003eBehaviour in Captivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e European Legless Lizards are both curious and shy. They benefit from naturalistic enclosures with deep substrate for burrowing and several hides. They may explore openly but generally do not enjoy frequent handling. Their tails are delicate and should be protected from accidental injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3006\" data-end=\"3287\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3006\" data-end=\"3033\"\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3036\"\u003e• Tail autotomy is a risk, and regrowth is incomplete.\u003cbr data-start=\"3090\" data-end=\"3093\"\u003e• Provide deep, soft substrate to allow natural burrowing.\u003cbr data-start=\"3151\" data-end=\"3154\"\u003e• Avoid frequent handling to reduce stress and tail damage.\u003cbr data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3216\"\u003e• Ensure all décor is secure and cannot collapse on tunnelling animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-start=\"3289\" data-end=\"3292\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3294\" data-end=\"3311\"\u003eTaxonomy Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3313\" data-end=\"3543\"\u003eThe European Legless Lizard is part of the Anguidae family, which includes glass lizards and alligator lizards. \u003cem data-start=\"3425\" data-end=\"3443\"\u003ePseudopus apodus\u003c\/em\u003e is the largest species of legless lizard and is superbly adapted to terrestrial and fossorial life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt; data-start=\"3545\" data-end=\"3548\"\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3550\" data-end=\"3567\"\u003eGenetics Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3569\" data-end=\"3856\"\u003eThere are no recognized morphs for the European Legless Lizard. Natural variation occurs in brown or grey colour tones, dorsal pattern visibility, and remnants of juvenile striping. These differences reflect locality-based and individual genetic variation rather than selective breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tails and Scales","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56196248142146,"sku":"xdk1789651538254","price":113.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1010\/8380\/8066\/files\/european-legless-lizard_1.jpg?v=1789651542","url":"https:\/\/abrasionresistclad.shop\/products\/european-legless-lizard","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}