If a snake looks at you and blinks, you know - this is not a snake, but a yellow-lizard lizard. This amazing animal has no paws, which is what misleads an unenlightened person.
Where can you find this unusual reptile? The main habitats of the yellowfin lizard are Central and Southwest Asia, Eastern Europe, China, West Africa, and North America. These animals prefer to settle in different places. Steppes and semi-deserts are suitable for some, others choose river valleys, others choose mountains. In order to hide from predators and people, the yellow-lizard lizard independently digs minks or hides in those left by other animals, dives into water bodies, crawls under bushes and tree roots. In our country, this reptile, which is scientifically called the armored spindle, is often found in Anapa.
Appearance
The body of this reptile is serpentine - elongated laterally and passes into a long tail. It grows to 120-150 centimeters. If we consider its muzzle separately from the body, then it is clearly visible that this is a lizard. Her head is large, auditory holes are visible on the sides. Adult individuals are yellow, brown or copper in color. From young they differ in a darker shade and the absence of transverse zigzag stripes. Young lizards usually have 16-22 pieces. As a reminder of the limbs, the yellow lizard has lobes near the anus.
Man will not offend
Strong jaws do an excellent job of catching and eating prey. However, for some reason, the yellow-bellows cannot protect themselves with their help. Therefore, a person can safely pick up this harmless creature and look closer. She won't bite. But he can make it so that you yourself let her go free. This animal sprays its enemy with stool that has a pungent smell. So the hand will unclench involuntarily. Some people think that the yellow lizard is poisonous. This is not true. It kills its prey in a completely different way.
Delicious food
First, let's figure out what serves as food for this reptile. She eats insects, invertebrate mollusks, small vertebrates. If you manage to get, then he does not disdain bird eggs. In famine, he eats fruit. Interestingly, when meeting with the viper, the yellow-bellied will win. His body is covered with stiff scales, which prevents the snake from biting and injecting poison. And the jaws are so powerful that they allow the lizard to easily bite the viper in half. After that, the snake will be eaten. He eats a yellow-pusik, biting off a piece from his prey, and not swallowing whole. Therefore, this process is lengthy. In their relatives, the yellow-bellied can bite off the tail, which is also eaten.
Sad but helpful
As is known, in these representatives of the fauna, the tail grows back. It also happens with the yellow-bellied. He can throw off the tail, which then grows again.
So, how does the yellow-lizard lizard, whose photo you will find in this article, cope with small rodents? Very simple. She grabs, for example, a mouse, clamps in her jaws and starts spinning in place until the rodent faints. And then begins the meal. Pretty cruel way. But you can not argue with nature. Especially since the yellowfood benefits agriculture, destroying snails, slugs and small rodents that spoil the crop. For the same purposes, you can bring it to your personal plot.
Boy or girl
In the fall, the yellow-bellied hibernates. After waking up during the spring, the mating period begins. The genitals of the yellow lizard are not visible to the naked eye. And armed with a microscope, you can’t make out. Therefore, it is impossible to distinguish the male from the female outwardly. In nature, they distinguish each other independently and they do not need human help. And in research laboratories, experts know how to do this by observing lizards and conducting research.
New individuals
In nature, lizards live 30-35 years. Puberty begins as early as 4 years, when the reptile has a length of about half a meter. After fertilization, the female lays eggs. Usually no more than 6-10 pieces in one litter. The eggs are oval and 2-4 centimeters in transverse diameter. For 30-60 days, the female guards her cubs and a nest hidden in the foliage. Heat is what is important for the development of small lizards. It is best if the ambient temperature is around +30 degrees. As a result, calves about 15 centimeters long are born. Yellow-bellies can live in captivity. But they will reproduce only if the owner guesses with the definition of sex and puts the female and the male in one terrarium. And guessing will be very difficult.
Pets
But usually reptiles are brought not for breeding, but to watch their life. Owners especially like the feeding process. After all, it is possible to give yellowfood food with your hands. But do not forget that the not tamed lizard will be afraid of you and douse you with liquid odorous excrement. It will take some time for the pet to get used to it.
Prepare a flat, horizontal terrarium, the bottom of which is covered with sand interspersed with coarse gravel. Make shelters. After all, the yellowflood in nature hides from heat and rain. A lamp must be installed to maintain optimum temperature. The terrarium should have a feeding trough and a drinking bowl. In captivity, lizards eat the same as in nature: insects, rodents, eggs and fruits. You can also give small pieces of meat or chicken. The main thing is to monitor the health of the pet and not give what makes it feel bad.
Our nature is full of miracles. The legless yellow lizard, the interesting facts about which you found in this article, is one of them. We wish you to meet her in nature to see for yourself what an interesting creature this is.