Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Slow Worm

Anguis fragilis

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The slow worm is a legless lizard, despite its snake-like outline. Smooth scales and a concealed lifestyle make it a distinctive reptile of damp European landscapes.

Anguis fragilis (slow worm)

Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Slugs and earthworms.

Classification

Common name
Slow Worm
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Anguis fragilis
Taxon rank
species
Family
Anguidae
Genus
Anguis
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is a lizard rather than a snake.
  • It has movable eyelids.
  • Slugs and earthworms are important prey.

Habitat and range

Slow worms occupy parts of western and central Europe. Cool, sheltered woodland, grassland, heath and gardens provide places to hide under stones, vegetation and surface debris.

Appearance and adaptations

The elongated body is often coppery, grey-brown or golden. Females and juveniles commonly have darker sides and lengthwise markings. Unlike snakes, slow worms have movable eyelids.

Diet and behaviour

Slugs and earthworms are principal prey. Much time is spent beneath cover or underground, which makes the species easy to overlook. Cold weather is usually spent in sheltered winter refuges.

Sources

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