Is this slow worm or snake?

[chapster]

Hi,

I'm in North Wales and just found this outside the house being watched with too much interest by the cat, which is now locked out the way so it doesn't kill it, although it's gone through a gap in the fence into next door's garden now:



The image was captured using my mobile, so isn't anywhere near as good as I'd have liked.

It was 8-10 inches long.

While it was sliding along, it had a tiny black tongue that whipped out every now and then. I've seen a slo worm before, but my memory of it was as being larger in diameter and with a bigger head, but it was many years ago.

Could someone please confirm whether it's a slo worm or a snake? Doesn't fit any snake that I can see on UK snake websites...

Thanks

[AndrewA123]

Looks very much like a slow worm to me

And Welcome to the forum

[werdnal]

I'd 2nd slow worm. I've not see one for along while now, they used to be a lot more common. They do vary in size.

If you see one again, the way to tell is slow worms have eyelids, so can blink, when snakes don't.

[dampflippers]

Looks like a slow worm to me, but I have never seen one "in the flesh".

[tcvarlh]

Def a Slow Worm. They do vary size-wise and quite a bit in colour too. Smashing isn't it?


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[chapster]

Thanks very much for the replies. It came back into the garden and seemed to be looking for somewhere to stay. No doubt it'll choose the compost heap or the bundle of chopped branches from a tree I cut down. Managed to keep the cat away.

Had a good long stare at it when it returned but it refused to blink for me. Mind you, didn't get a very long look before it disappeared under something. The compost heap is a new addition as we prepare the garden for growing our own veg, and I've read that slow worms like them for the warmth, so may see more.

[wizzo]

Defo a Slow worm! Cats love 'playing' with them. I'd take it to a wood near you if you have one and let it slither off into the undergrowth.. Wizzo