Where to release a Slow Worm

[ChrisMc]

Hi guys.

I registered here specifically just to ask this question!

We found our cats playing with a slow worm (a big slow worm!) we have no idea where they got it from (They have a habit of grabbing things and running off).

Although my garden would be perfect for it (and no doubt where it came from) I don't want it to be munched by ours or the neighbors cats.

I have put it away safe for the moment until it heals properly and I plan on releasing it ASAP (I am aware of the law etc). I just don't know where for the best.

Do i put it in a corner of the garden under some bushes etc or do I take it somewhere else and release it out of the way of people/ cats etc. Obviously I want it to go forth and all that!

Little help

[marvin]

hi

well done for rescuing the slowworm.

if it was me i'd release it back into the garden as that seems to be where it has come from. cats will always be a problem but if you already have a population of slowworms around it seems unlikely that the impact will be severe.

cheers
tim

[LizardLover]

our garden is small,but has a mini forest area behind our fence and my cat a few years back also had a slowworm,I nursed him in a moist warm critter keeper with some coco fibre(i keep reptiles so that was handy!)fed him slugs,he liked the white ones,then released him in my garden,at fence hole where I'm sure he lives in mini forest area,I hope he did well*
I'm hoping to encourage slowworms and if I'm lucky common lizards to my garden,may I ask,what is your garden like,to be encouraging so many?

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by marvin

hi

well done for rescuing the slowworm.

if it was me i'd release it back into the garden as that seems to be where it has come from. cats will always be a problem but if you already have a population of slowworms around it seems unlikely that the impact will be severe.

cheers
tim

Unfortunately cats DO have a big impact on reptiles, Ive spoken to a few people whos garden populations have disappeared once they or a neighbour has got cats. I guess releasing the slowworm in a tucked away corner is best as if you release it elsewhere it may end up in a perfect location but isolated from other slowworms, among other problems.
To avoid further cat-reptile conflicts its always best to keep cats indoors in the mornings when the reptiles are still warming up in the sun.