The Slow Worm
Anguis fragilis



Often erroneously considered a snake, the Slow Worm is an absolutely harmless burrowing lizard which can reach a length of 50 cm.
Adults display colours varying from grey to brown. In males colours are usually uniform whereas the majority of females have dark longitudinal stripes and a dark underside.
Males of a certain age can have light blue or blue pigmentation.
Juveniles have a light coloured back, with silver or gold streaks and a thin dark longitudinal stripe. Their underparts and sides are very dark.
The neck and beginning of the tail are not recognisable in the slow worm.
The body appears cylindrical. Like many other lizards, slow worms autotomize, meaning that they have the ability to shed their tails in order to escape predators. The tail regrows, but forms an ugly stump.
An important feature that differentiates slow worms from snakes is that they have small eyes with eyelids that blink like lizards.
The slow worm, which can live over 40 years, spends most of its time under the earth: its cylindrical body and the scales covering it, which are supported and reinforced by small bony plates, form an excellent tool of adaptation to this kind of life.
They feed mainly on earthworms and slugs.
When thermoregulated the slow worm is unexpectedly fast and if disturbed it rapidly seeks shelter in high grass or a hole in the earth.
During the breeding season, males fight each other and bite each other on their flanks or backs.