David Element's Wildlife Web Page Amphibians and Reptiles 17

David Element

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___ Amphibians and Reptiles 17 - Slow-worms 1

SLOW-WORM Anguis fragilis (m)

The absence of a black dorsal stripe distinguishes this Slow-worm as an adult male. Some males possess pale blue speckles and these can become rather dense in mature individuals. Slow-worms have fully functional eyelids, a feature which is shared with other lizards, but not with snakes. They also share the capability of shedding their tails (autotomy), a typical lizard ploy for distracting predators and evading capture. As the eyes of a Slow-worm often become covered with slime during the process of feeding it is useful to be able to clean them. In fact the face is normally thoroughly cleaned by wiping it against vegetation after a meal. Slugs and worms are the favoured food items. These are detected by scent (with the aid of a fleshy, slightly forked tongue) and sight and then pursued by stealth - and it must be said that slugs are not the most testing of prey to catch! The mouth contains slightly recurved scales (teeth) which allow little chance of escape, particularly if a slug has been taken head first as the natural muscular movement of the slug aids swallowing. Although snails are often quoted as being eaten by Slow-worms the shell frequently proves to be an insurmountable barrier and it is debatable whether they are actually taken. Snails may also produce a defensive froth of bubbles which may confuse or deter a would be predator. Slow-worms are very long-lived, with one captive individual allegedly surviving for over 50 years. This is the only legless lizard to be found in the British Isles. Sadly these entirely harmless and blameless creatures are often killed when they are mistaken for snakes. Some further images may be found on Amphibians and Reptiles 32.

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