Slow Worms and Ants.

[chazzpott]

What is it with Slow Worms and ants? Here are a couple of photos to illustrate what I mean.


I didn't see this chap at first and was somewhat surprised when I realised what I was looking at.


This one is clearly not bothered about the ants.
Do they actively seek out ant nests and if so, what do they gain from it?
Charlie.

[King Edward]

Mainly heat, I think, especially in the case of the large Wood Ant mounds which get quite warm.

[Kayleigh]

Could he be eating the ant eggs and larvae as well as gaining warmth.

[JaySteel]

Yes they benefit from the heat generated by the ants nest as well as being afforded some degree of protection from mammal predators. I've read that young Slow Worms also feed on ant larvae.

Best regards,
Jason

[marvin]

hi

very easy to burrow in too.

tim

[chazzpott]

I had considered the possibility of them gaining some heat from the nests, but had not thought about them eating eggs or larvae because I've never seen them eating. They just sit there quietly doing nowt.
Is it possible that the formic acid produced by the ants helps to protect them against parasites?
Do any other lizards or any of our snakes display this behaviour?

Charlie.

[Dorts]

I think there is no doubt heat is the reason. The ants nest acts like polystyrene, with hundreds of small air pockets.

Slow worms are quite fussy eaters, eating mainly slugs, and then prefering the small soft kinds. A friend of mine has kept three in captivity for well over 40 years now, and they will eat nothing else, so I don't think they are after the ants eggs.
Dorts.

[nige]

Not much eats slugs, my bet would be a food source maybe the ants and larvae, something must eat ants other than dare i say Anteaters

[bigdave60dog]

There may be something in every answer so far. Slow Worms like heat, They eat insects and maybe like some birds and hedgehogs they like to cover themselves with Formic Acid.
He may even have an Ant fetish or be an Acid Head. The possibilities are endless.
Dave

[chazzpott]

Big dave, I think he must be an acid head I couldn't even see his head in this shot which I took today, in exactly the same spot as the other two.



Cheers.

Charlie