European glass lizards also commonly known by its Russian name the Sheltopusik (Peudopus adopus) is a large species of legless lizard native to Southern Europe and Central Asia. Although superficially resembling a snake due to the lack of legs they are easily distinguishable by the presence of it having ears, moveable eyelids and by the ventral (belly) scales.

They grow to a substantial size and can reach just over 4ft (120cm) in length making them the largest species of legless lizard. They normally inhabit open grassland and temperate woodland throughout their natural range and despite the relatively dry areas they often live in they tend to be at their most active following rains. This is due to their preferred diet of slugs and snails which are also more active following the rain. In nature they are an opportunistic feeder that due to their powerful jaws will eat all manner of small insects along with smaller mammals, birds and eggs.

They are a personable species that are known for being relatively intelligent and able to recognise their keeper, although they don’t necessarily like to be held, they will hand feed and are very inquisitive by nature.

They are a very long lived species having been known to live as long as 50 years. Often they are imported from the wild but we have a single UK captive bred individual available.