Forum Topic

Slow worm in  the garden

We were delighted and shocked to see a slow worm this morning by our back door. It scuttled off after a little prod to see if it was alive. I initially thought it was a snake and delighted it wasn't. Apparently they are a protected species. Is this common to Acton or a rare treat?

Ros Guthrie ● 4771d8 Comments

I found one when I cleared all the overgrowth and rubbish in the back of my garden, along with hundreds of frogs.I did feel guilty for removing what was a pile of rubbish to me but a wildlife sanctuary to all the creatures.

Kim Rugg ● 4771d

My friend used to get loads in her garden in Cricklewood.

Chris Hurley ● 4770d

I suppose they are not so rare then... funny, I have never seen one before.

Ros Guthrie ● 4770d

As a child I loved to walk around with one of these in my pocket.  I don't imagine that the slow worm felt quite the same about it.  It's a legless lizard ie one without legs - and we used to find them when summers were sunny! I didn't live in London and haven't seen any slow worms or grass snakes here - or adders/vipers.  Make sure you can identify those! Although I guess in London you are perhaps just as likely to meet an escaped pet.

Philippa Bond ● 4768d

Thanks Philippa, yes I must admit I thought it could be a snake at first but no, definitely not a adder! Phew!

Ros Guthrie ● 4767d

I notice that there are some lovely videos on the BBC Wildlife website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Anguis_fragilis I suspect we have more time to stop and notice things in the longer days of summer...  and find out about them rather than just go into the knee-jerk manic kill kill kill of anything unknown.  No wonder slow worms are a protected species.  We also used to find their discarded sloughed skins - something else for the school nature table.  Something interesting to discuss in class. Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve is an interesting and local place to visit.

Philippa Bond ● 4767d

how do you post a picture on here?  Was lying in my garden today when lo and behold I saw either a slow worm or snake!

Tom Fowler ● 4760d

I took a piccie too but no idea how to post either. Do you think it is the same guy? He should be light brown / pink with a dark line marking down the back of his head.

Ros Guthrie ● 4760d