It is tan colored, paler on the ventral surface and the head, with a ring-like/segmented appearance that makes it look like a large earthworm with a distinctive fold of skin down each side called a lateral groove.

Though the legs are barely discernible, the sheltopusik can be quickly distinguished from a snake by its ears, eyelids, and ventral scales.

Snails and slugs appear to be its favorite prey, which may explain why it is particularly active in wet weather, although it prefers a dry habitat.

The released tail may break into pieces, leading to the myth that the lizard can shatter like glass and reassemble itself later.

They do not typically tolerate a large amount of handling, but they adapt to captivity well, feeding on crickets, meal worms, small mice, eggs, snails, or pieces of meat.

Remains of the Levant subspecies (P. a. levantinus) are known from Natufian sites in Israel, suggesting that it was eaten by the local population at the time.