Slow-worms (Anguis fragilis)

Slow-worms are legless lizards, and not worms at all. They are common in Wyre. The males are generally of a uniform grey-brown, whereas the females are a reddish brown with darker flanks and a dark stripe down their backs.

They emerge from hibernation in March and mate in May or June. The females give birth to between 5 and 25 young in August or September. They are born in membranous sacs and are quite different in colour to the adults, being a golden yellow with darker back stripe.

They feed mainly on slugs and they spend much of their time underground in the soil. They can shed their tail and grow another in its place.

Published 29th August 2011 at 9:49 pm