Snake or Slow Worm?

29 September 2010 - 11:45pm — davepm

We thinks its possibly a slow worm, but not 100% sure.

Was found in our bathroom, still not entirely sure how it got there!

http://twitpic.com/2t6ac1

Thanks!

Dave

Groups:

Amphibians and Reptiles

It is indeed a Slow Worm, and

1 October 2010 - 8:31am — Syrphus

Syrphus's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

It is indeed a Slow Worm, and absolutely nothing to be afraid of. This is a legless lizard (not a snake), and scary to nothing bigger than a slug or earthworm. I can't suggest how it got there either!

Murdo

TRY

recording wildlife with The Recorder's Year on www.hbrg.org.uk/TRY.html.

It was probably looking -

5 October 2010 - 8:55am — RogerR (not verified)

for a safe refuge. They like hiding in holes or under logs - hence old tin sheets are a good way to attract them.
Quite safe to handle, but they can shed the tail like other lizards. If a male mistakes your finger for a rival it may bite, but is harmless.
Good for gardens - they eat slugs!

Time of year

8 September 2011 - 11:58pm — Refugee Refugee's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

It would have been looking for a winter refuge going by the time of year and may well have been roused by someone having a long hot bath or the heating being turned on. It also works the other way round. We have a friend who pampered his pet snake and kept playing round with heat lights and this time the scream was from next door when it was found wrapped round the bath taps cooling itself down. If it had turned up in the toilet pan i would have said it needs a pool in its enclosure.

Refugee

Slow worm

7 October 2010 - 10:24pm — the naturalist man

This looks to be a male as it does not appear to have a dark line down the side. No idea how it got in the house. If you can it would be good if you were to post this as an observation with the photo so other people can see this most unusual record.

Graham Banwell - The Naturalist Man
iSpot Biodiversity Mentor - Yorkshire
Visit the iSpot Yorkshire Forum for the latest news, views and information on wildlife events in 'Gods Own Country'
http://www.ispot.org.uk/forum/8411

Thanks for the replies! I

8 October 2010 - 11:38pm — davepm

Thanks for the replies!

I will post it as an observation later, i have several more photo's of it before we released it!

The kids certainly found it entertaining.

Looks like a young male slow

13 September 2011 - 9:21am — Vicar

Looks like a young male slow worm. As for how it got there...do you have a cat?

--
Steve Langham
Chair - Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group (SARG)
www.surrey-arg.org.uk
Email: Steve@surrey-arg.org.uk

Yes it is definitely a slow worm

11 November 2011 - 5:46pm — rst224

Yes it is definitely a slow worm (Anguis fragilis.) These are legless lizards but be careful with handling them as they can easily drop off their tails off when feeling threatened, however a new one does start to grow back in just two weeks.