Slow Worm
colours
Description
The Slow Worm is actually a legless lizard, which is often mistaken for a snake. There are features present that seperate the Slow Worm from the snake family, including the presence of an eyelid, that snakes do not have. Adults have a smooth, shiny appearance with a grey or bluish belly. The male and female are very different - females have brown, copper or red coloured backs with brown or black sides, often with lighter shiny flecks and some individuals have a dark stripe running along the middle of the back and stripe along the sides of the body. Males vary in colour and can be greyish, copper coloured, brown or reddish brown and do not have stripes. They also have broader and longer heads than the female and occasionally have blue spots. The skin is shed throughout it's lifetime.
The Slow Worm is the most common reptile found in the U.K.
Primary Image
Scientific Name
Anguis fragillis
Distribution
They are widespread throughout Britain but are more common in the south and east of England.
Life Span
Long lived - up to 50 years
Habitat
Found in a wide range of habitats and tends to take refuge under anything lying on the ground. They are commonly found in gardens, especially in compost heaps where food is plentiful and the rotting vegetation provides a source of heat.
Length
Adult - up to 400mm
Confusion Species
Reproduction
Courtship takes place around May and June when the males can become very aggresive towards each other in a bid to mate with the female.
During courtship, the males takes hold of the female by biting and gripping her around the head or the neck. They then intertwine their bodies for up to 10 hours before copulation occurs. Females tend to mate every two years and up to ten young are born live between August and September.
The young take up to 8 years to mature to adulthood and are sexually active at around 4 years of age, 5 years for females.
Also Known As
Diet
Behaviour
Slow Worms hibernate during the Winter and emerge around March.
Status
The Slow Worm is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) Under this act, it is illegal to kill , injure and sell this creature.
Did You Know?
The Latin name for the Slow Worm, Anguis fragilis means fragile snake and refers to it's ability to shed it's tail when grabbed by humans or predators. The tail continues to move when detached from the body and distracts predators, allowing the worm to escape.