SLOWWORM

The Latin name for the Slowworm is Anguis fragilis.

The Slowworm is a common name for a limbless, snake-like lizard. The Slowworm is also called the Blindworm.

It has scaly eyelids that are movable and its eyes are small but useful. It varies in colour from grey-brown to a reddish colour, usually appearing shiny due to the scales covering the body. The female has a black stripe down her back. When frightened, this harmless reptile with a feeble bite becomes rigid, and it's tail becomes so brittle that it will snap off if seized, enabling the lizard to escape. It rarely exceeds 30.5cm in length. The female bears between 8 and 25 live young around midsummer.

This reptile feeds on slugs, flies and other invertebrates. It enters gardens, often living in compost heaps, under corrugated iron or in stony banks.

The Slowworm is found throughout most of Europe and is also known in North Africa and western Asia.