slow worms

[phil2]

what is the law concerning bringing some to my garden,it only says. Slow worms are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from being killed, injured or sold and are less common than they used to be.
i dreamt i had some and i cannot honestly be more hoenst if i had some in the garden i couldnt be happier,we have nothing aorund here,i think my garden would be suitable,if not id make it suitable.

[paul hudson]

Originally Posted by phil2

what is the law concerning bringing some to my garden,it only says. Slow worms are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from being killed, injured or sold and are less common than they used to be.
i dreamt i had some and i cannot honestly be more hoenst if i had some in the garden i couldnt be happier,we have nothing aorund here,i think my garden would be suitable,if not id make it suitable.

HI Phil ,
If i were you i would just enjoy reptiles their natural habitat , if ther are none in your area it,s no doubt because the habitat is unsuitible ,

[nightshade]

Catching,transporting (etc.) wildlife is a definite no no.Habitat requires food supply,
breeding potential,being undisturbed.Sorry phil2 I can understand your keeness
Why don't you make your garden into a suitable habitat for wildlife and see what turns up
I did and my house is between two main roads!

[phil2]

i know,but the nearest reptiles to me are miles away. i have got some stuff in my garden,any ideas what to do.

[demicav]

The problem is, your garden may be an unatural environment for Slow worms and there is only so much you can do. You need to look at their natural environment and compare the two. Also many people don't know what a Slow worm is, let's say they wandered into other peoples gardens and they killed them thinking they were some dangerous snake, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened. Cats have to be taken into account as they kill hundreds of lizards every year and in towns and cities there is a big population of cats. All these things would make me think twice about removing Slow worms from where they are thriving and putting them in a place they could quite easily fail, just so you can have the convenience of them being near.
Of course Slow worms used to be very common all over at one time but areas have changed over time and become less suitable for them. Loss of habitat and predators such as cats have taken their toll. I agree with Nightshade, why not make your garden really wildlife friendly and you may be shocked at what it attracts. I suspect there are more reptiles about than people realise and all the better if they choose to come to you.

[phil2]

we have an underdisturbed sub station withw ildlife in at the bottom of the garden,but the car watches the mice there,i keep trying to chase it away.

[Ukwildlifeo]

I wouldn't puposely introduce them in a garden because gardens mean cats and cats mean alll the slowworms will be killed in not too long

[arvensis]

Phil,
You asked about this on RA:UK last year, DO NOT THINK ABOUT DOING IT! What about the populations you would take from, would they be able to sustain the sudden loss of numbers i.e in respect of future breeding? What about the cats in your area, especially your family pet? You wouldn't be able to watch it 24/7 so how long before the slow-worms become no-worms?

If you do have to go miles to see reptiles, then that is what you have to do, in the mean time, just make your garden as wildlife friendly as possible and see what turns up.

Mark

[phil2]

arvensis,i dont have a cat,and where the site is id tske them from s for sale and once its sold there going to become offices so the reptiles will be driven out. and i know theres loads there.

p.s when will rauk be back?

[nightshade]

If that is the case you need to involve your local Wildlife Trust and perhaps Natural England
for advice
Should your own garden meanwhile happen to be a suitable habitat.......
Discuss it with these people