It is one of the most fascinating reptiles in Europe and western Asia, mainly because it looks exactly like a snake at first glance. It has a long, smooth body covered in shiny scales, and people who encounter it often mistake it for a viper or grass snake. But despite its snake-like appearance, the Sheltopusik is in fact a lizard, and it has plenty of unique traits that set it apart.
The key giveaway is that, unlike snakes, Sheltopusiks have visible ear openings and eyelids. If you see one blink, you’ll know it’s not a snake! Its body is generally a light brown or gray with faint stripes or speckling, and its scales give it a glossy look. The tail makes up more than half its total length, and—as with many lizards—it can break off when grabbed by a predator, a defense mechanism known as caudal autotomy. Interestingly, this ability gave rise to the nickname “glass lizard”, since people once believed they “shattered” into pieces when handled, only to later “reform”—a myth rooted in truth, as the tail fragments wriggle dramatically when detached.
Sheltopusiks are found in a wide range of habitats, from the Balkans and the Caucasus to Central Asia, living in grasslands, scrub, open woodlands, and even farmlands. They are ground-dwellers, preferring dry, sunny areas, but they can also be spotted in gardens or near villages, where they hunt for their favorite prey: insects, snails, and small vertebrates. Their powerful jaws and blunt teeth make them especially skilled at crunching through snail shells. They are diurnal, most active during the day, and though they may look slow, they can move surprisingly quickly when threatened.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Croatia
Georgia
Greece
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Russia
Syria
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Turkey
Ukraine
UzbekistanAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
