Found a slow-worm this morning

werdnal · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 01:48 PM

First time I have seen one for years.

Took the kids from the Playgroup where I work on an walk to the local duck-pond. On the way we walk through a housing estate, and suddenly one of the parents pointed to a slow-worm lying on the pavement, just in time to stop one of the kids stepping on it! I thought at first it was dead, as in a rather open and exposed place to see one, but carefully picked it up and it started to move. Tried to head up my sleeve!

I quickly showed the children, before placing it in the hedge out of harms way. I know they are not supposed to be handled if you don't have a license, but thought it better to put it somewhere safe and covered to keep away from wayward feet or local cats. It happily slithered off into the ivy and out of sight.

I thought it was rather cold for them to be out and about this time of year.

Lovely and unexpected thing to see though!

Mark_b · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 02:09 PM

That is odd it, british reptiles should all ready be hibernating now or at least very inactive. A slow-worm would never willingly be that exposed. I think it had been disturbed some how (its hibernation site uncovered or kids finding it) and was looking for a new place to hide.

Nice one for helping it out!

marvin · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 05:27 PM

hi

i agree with mark's comments and well done. btw you don't need a license to handle slowworms so you haven't done anything illegal.

cheers
tim

werdnal · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 08:47 PM

Oh, I thought they were protected. I know I used to catch them quite frequently when I was young and didn't know any better. The local fields seemed to be full of them back then, but I can't remember the last time I saw one.

I wish I'd found it a better place to go now, as even hibernating in a built up are must have its hazards. If only I'd know I was allowed to pick it up, I'd have taken it along to the duck pond and let it go in a more suitable place!

marvin · #5 (**permalink**) 13-11-2009, 07:29 AM

hi again

they are protected but not to that extent. roughly speaking you can't kill them, collect them for sale or sell them, so picking them up isn't illegal as long as you aren't intending to sell them afterwards (difficult to prove of course!).

don't worry about where you let it go it will probably find its way to a suitable hibernation area if it hasn't already.

tim