Slow Worm

tequilaskylark · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 05:59 PM

Hi I am uni student currently organising an exhibition. I would like to display a shed slow worm skin or a deceased one. If anyone can help me find one or has one that i could borrow i would really appreciate it if you could contact me. Many thanks.

ViperaBerus · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 06:28 PM

It's difficult to find a full skin as they don't shed whole and long like snakes. They end up like rolled up socks and are usually broken.

tequilaskylark · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 07:01 PM

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes i have seen a few before i thought about displaying one. The way it is rolled up i find intriguing!

Hopefully i will be able to find one. Many thanks for your help.

chazzpott · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 09:52 PM

Why must it be a skin or a dead animal?

Could you not display a live Slow Worm for the duration of the exhibition, returning it unharmed to the spot where it was found afterwards. A living display would be far more interesting.

If the exhibition is only short, then you would probably not even need to feed it, as they can survive quite a while without food. (But not without water)

I have no skins of Slow Worms, and I don't recall ever having seen one.
Best of luck with the exhibition, whichever way you tackle it.

Charlie.

wizzo · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazzpott

Why must it be a skin or a dead animal?

Could you not display a live Slow Worm for the duration of the exhibition, returning it unharmed to the spot where it was found afterwards. A living display would be far more interesting.

If the exhibition is only short, then you would probably not even need to feed it, as they can survive quite a while without food. (But not without water)

Charlie.

Without the relevant licence Charlie, I'm really not sure this would be legal or ethical? Wizzo

marvin · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 10:30 PM

certainly legal but you'd have to make up your own mind about the ethics.

tim

wizzo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2011, 08:29 AM

I'm not totally sure it's illegal to remove Slow worms from their natuaral enviroment without very good reason. But they are a protected species and I'm not sure it's kind to put any live creature on 'display' - in my humble opinion anyway

tequilaskylark · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2011, 09:57 AM

Hi Thanks everyone for your help and comments. Charlie I wouldn't put a live animal in the exhibition because firstly i think its cruel, secondly it will be displayed in a 3D frame, with lights in, the frame is not very big so it wouldn't have much space and would probably be fried by the light, and their wouldn't be much air in their either. Also it would mess up the frame/display by moving all over the place :-) I have seen slow worm skins before under tins however can't find any at the moment. Many thanks

JaySteel · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizzo

I'm not totally sure it's illegal to remove Slow worms from their natuaral enviroment without very good reason. But they are a protected species

Like the Adder, Grass Snake and Common Lizard, Slow Worms are only protected by law to the extent that it is against the law to kill them, harm them, or sell / trade them. You can keep them all as pets without breaking any laws. (You will need a DWA licence from your local authorities to keep Adders though).

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Naturenet: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Personally I would have no problem with keeping a Slow Worm for a short period as long as you do your research first on their specific needs. Obviously others will have their own opinions.

Best regards,
Jason