Sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus)

Short answers

Sheltopusik: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 180 × 60 × 60 cm for 1 adult animal (ground-oriented); more floor area is considerably better for this very active, roaming species.

Sheltopusik: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot ~35 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Sheltopusik: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12% T5 HO tube, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot).

Sheltopusik: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–50+ years.

Sheltopusik: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

~35 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Essential (10–12% T5 HO tube, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180 × 60 × 60 cm for 1 adult animal (ground-oriented); more floor area is considerably better for this very active, roaming species

Substrate

A sand-soil mix at least 15 cm deep (roughly 60% soil, 40% sand) with a leaf-litter topping, that holds burrows; plus a damp hide and hides made of stones, bark and roots

Feeding

Food

Snails (its favourite food), insects, worms, occasionally young rodents

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

90–140 cm

Life expectancy

20–50+ years

Origin

South-eastern Europe to Central Asia

Protection status

—

Brumation

Winter dormancy of around 3–5 months at 8–10 °C in the dark (natural rhythm October to March), with about a month each for ramping down and back up

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is best. Never keep males together. Females can get along in very large enclosures, but fights are possible; in that case provide separate basking and hiding spots for each and feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

The largest legless lizard, with powerful jaws for cracking snails. Very robust and extremely long-lived. It can shed its tail under stress.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Thracian sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus thracius) – Intermediate
• Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) – Intermediate
• Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis) – Intermediate
• Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) – Intermediate
• Hart's glass lizard (Dopasia harti) – Intermediate
• Italian slow worm (Anguis veronensis) – Intermediate
• California legless lizard (Anniella pulchra) – Intermediate
• Moroccan glass lizard (Ophisaurus koellikeri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180 × 60 × 60 cm for 1 adult animal (ground-oriented); more floor area is considerably better for this very active, roaming species), substrate (A sand-soil mix at least 15 cm deep (roughly 60% soil, 40% sand) with a leaf-litter topping, that holds burrows; plus a damp hide and hides made of stones, bark and roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.