Slow Worms

Several Slow Worms are breeding in the polytunnel, at work. Here are a few this morning. They hide under the Mypex matting where it gets very warm.
Adult.


Young from first batch.


Young from recent batch
.


Their summer residence, not a 'garden' size polytunnel!:D

 

Never seen one of these in the 'flesh' Strongy.

 

Thats lovely Strongy

Bloomin cats have had most of ours this year:DOH:Along with a Deaths Head Hawk Moth caterpillar:gaagh:

 

i finally made a slow worm den today that the kids had seen on tv ...im dreading even seeing one i so hope it doesnt attract them im so scared il prob not go in the garden again! im a coward x

 

Its OK Joolz, they are not snakes, just legless lizards.

Harmless as a very harmless thing. I've always found them very snuggly.

 

they look like snakes!! and that kiddie programme said watch out cos u could get adders in there aswell:gaagh: id rather eat squid gut icecream than confront that lot x

 

Mmm, squid gut ice cream.....with the plastic bits

 

noooooooo,but itl end up slow worm gut icecream with that snake tongue as a fork x

 

Get a grip Joolz.:D

 

Great pic's Strongy

I had a 'pet' one which I kept inside my shirt during school time one day...I always wore white shirts and Mum was not pleased

 

Its good you get so many strongy.

I saw a good sized one yesterday while strimming the grass on the allotment, luckily I saw it in time.

I think strimmers must the the most wildlife unfriendly tool that was ever invented.
But I always try to check out the area first before using it.

Strongy or anyone else who can help me out.
Does the tail grow back if they loose it??????

 

Yes Pete, like the tail on a legged lizard, it does grow back. This is so if a predator, or little boy, grabs the tail, they can shed it, then regrow it in time. The slow worm that is, not the boy.

I haven't seen a slow worm yet at our new abode but I was lucky enough to see my first glow worm of the season last week. Magical!

Chris

 

what do slow worms actually eat?? are frogs safe ? x

 

Joolz, they eat small insects although a very small just morphed froglet may be seen as a tasty snack.
As to Autotomony, tail regrowing, as Chris says they regrow but not usually as long as the original, sometimes a stump or as this re-post shows sometimes two grow instead.