Baby Slow-worm in May?

[archerrobson]

On 8th May I discovered a baby slow worm (neonate) in my back garden.

On doing a bit of reading it seems the adults should be mating about now with the young being born August to October.

If this little fella is no more than about 4 weeks old then he/she must have been conceived last December. Out of sync, I think.

One can only assume that due to the milder weather these creatures are becoming as confused as the rest of us as to the seasons.

Any similar sightings or comments.

Archer Robson.

Tiverton, Devon.

[henrya]

I've heard of another, similar record this year (from Wembury, Devon!)

This might be a young one born late last year and not grown much since then.

It's also possible that it was born this year from a pregnancy not completed last year. There is at least one record of a Slow Worm being found with nearly full term young in February.

At least one book suggests that Slow Worms have a gestation period longer than 12 months, so conception last December is not necessarily needed.

Henrya