Reptile
Common Slowworm
Anguis fragilisAlso known as Slow Worm, Blindworm
Common Slowworms are legless lizards with smooth shiny scales, movable eyelids, and small ear openings. Their bodies range from coppery brown to gray, and they can shed part of the tail when seized by a predator.
legless lizardgarden reptileburrowing hunter
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySlugs, earthworms, spiders
Predators
- birds
- hedgehogs
- domestic cats
ThreatsHabitat loss, mowing, road mortality, pesticide use, fires, and predation by domestic cats
HabitatsGrassland, heath, woodland edge, gardens, allotments, compost heaps, and embankments
Life spanCan live for several decades, with exceptional captive records exceeding forty years
Classification
- FamilyAnguidae
- GenusAnguis
- SpeciesAnguis fragilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Do not pick one up; restraint can cause injury or trigger loss of part of the tail.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Look for eyelids and a blunt tail on this smooth-scaled legless lizard.
- Protect: Replace lifted refuges gently and exactly where they were found.
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