Glass Snake

GLASS SNAKE 

SCIENTIFIC NAME :-    Ophisaurus apodus

OCCURRENCE :-           Europe east to S.W. and C.Asia 

HABITAT :-                  Forest 

SIZE :-                         Length upto 12 cm

FAMILY :-                    Anguidae 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS :-

1. It is a snake-like , stiff and heavy bodied lizard with an armour of bony plates under the smooth scales and vestings of hind limbs.
2. The undercoat of armour is not continuous , but there are grooves of flexible scales on each side to allow the body to expand when necessary.
3. Its long tail can be easily detected if seized by an attacker and can be regenerated within few days.
4. It has movable eyelids and external ear openings.
5. It is active during the day and feeds on lizards , mice and other small animals.
6. Males fight fiercely for the female.
7. The female lays 5-7 eggs under a rock or log and curls around her eggs while they incubate . The eggs hatch after 4 weeks.