Slow Worm

Description:

Apodal lizard from the slow worm family (Anguidae). One of the most common reptiles in Europe. It's diet mainly consists of Lumbricidae (a family of earthworms) and slugs.

Habitat:

The slow worm thrives in humid, overgrown environments with plant litter. This animal is mainly found on open spaces in forests, at forest edges and alongside hedges. It is important that there is some sort of hiding place. These hiding places can consist of wood piles, rocks or even dense soil vegetation. Slow worms can also be found in anthills. Young slow worms even spend a great part of their lives in anthills (1). Because of their thick scales and small eyes, the ants do not form a threat for the slow worms. They also profit the protection against common enemies like the Shrew ( family Soricidae).

Notes:

(1)TRANSLATED FROM: Bernhard Grzimek, Het Leven Der Dieren Deel VI: Reptielen, Kindler Verlag AG, 1971 ISBN ISBN 90 274 8626 3