Reptiles & Amphibians Lizards Slow-worm Anguis fragilis Where to find them The slow-worm is often found in gardens and is widespread throughout the British Isles; it is naturally absent from Ireland. Identification Slow-worms are lizards, though they are often mistaken for snakes. Unlike snakes they have eyelids, a flat forked tongue and can drop their tail to escape from a predator. Slow-worms have a shiny appearance. Males are a greyish brown and females are brown with dark sides. Some females possess a thin line down the back. Juvenile slow-worms are very thin and are initially around 4cm long. Juveniles have black bellies and gold or silver dorsal sides, sometimes with a stripe running along the length of the body. Lifecycle Unlike other British reptiles, slow-worms rarely bask in the open, instead preferring to hide under logs or in compost heaps. Slow-worms feed on slow-moving prey, particularly small slugs. Like common lizards, female slow-worms incubate their eggs internally and ‘give birth’ in the late summer. Protection Slow-worms are protected by law in Great Britain against being deliberately killed, injured or sold/traded in any way. Photo gallery Powered by Cincopa HTML Slideshow for Business solution.Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis)flash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 3/30/2005 10:18:59 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 6/13/2005 7:52:30 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fried Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 3/24/2005 8:09:41 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 6/11/2005 2:24:06 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Chris Gleed-Owenflash 16cameramake OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,height 445orientation 1camerasoftware v754u-84originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 594cameramodel C740UZ© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 10/17/2005 7:42:09 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 8/19/2005 10:45:29 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/4/2006 6:23:58 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 10/20/2005 7:48:49 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 6/11/2005 2:22:23 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Chris Gleed-Owenflash 16cameramake OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,height 799orientation 1camerasoftware v754u-84originaldate 4/20/2004 4:41:26 PMwidth 599cameramodel C740UZ© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 3/30/2005 7:31:32 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Graham Stanleycameramake Canonheight 444orientation 1flash 24originaldate 5/30/2008 8:13:59 PMwidth 592cameramodel Canon DIGITAL IXUS 3© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 6/13/2005 7:48:35 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmesflash 31cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/28/2006 3:27:16 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 411camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 4/28/2006 4:45:35 PMwidth 595cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 447camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/6/2006 7:38:25 PMwidth 596cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550Chris Gleed-Owenflash 16cameramake OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,height 445orientation 1camerasoftware v754u-84originaldate 4/20/2004 6:44:15 PMwidth 594cameramodel C740UZ© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 423camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/6/2006 3:26:00 PMwidth 604cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 447camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/6/2006 3:19:23 PMwidth 596cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550 Manage Cookie Preferences