The Slow Worm

The Slow Worm. A juvenile slow worm the species is ovoviviparous this means the mother effectively incubates her eggs inside herself and only gives birth after they have hatched. Sexual dimorphism is observed in this species.

Vegetation or underground Beebee Griffiths. Like Slow Worms Adders are also a protected species and deliberately killing or injuring them is against the law. The Slow Worm Anguis fragilis is commonly mistaken for a Snake it is however a legless lizard.

There are just three species of lizard that are native to Britain and only the slow-worm is legless.

If you try to hold them by the tail it will break off and the slow-worm will wriggle off to freedom. This slow-worm appeared the other day by my veg patch as I was working. An adult slow worm will measure 30-50cm 12-20in long with an average weight of 20-100g 07-352oz. At the end a small notch divides the tongue in to two parts but it is not the deep fork seen in snakes.