The slowworm, also known as the glass snake, is a legless lizard that helps to fight against garden pests. It is harmless and deserves to be protected.
Identifying snakes
The slowworm is distinguished by its pointed snout and its smooth, elongated body. Its scales are shiny, in various shades such as brown, gray, or brick red. Females have dark stripes on their bellies. To differentiate a slowworm from a snake, observe its head and eyes: if the animal blinks its eyes, then it’s a slowworm; otherwise, it’s a snake, as the latter has an immobile, transparent eyelid.
Is the slowworm venomous?
The slowworm is a harmless animal, without venom.
It looks like a legless lizard.
The danger of its bite
The slowworm is an animal that hardly ever bites. Its bite is not dangerous because it is not venomous. It can sacrifice the tip of its tail to escape from a predator, just like a lizard. This trick allows it to flee by leaving its tail tip still moving behind it to distract its attacker. However, it can only use this strategy once.
It is important to protect slowworms as they are threatened by intensive agriculture and pesticides. Sometimes confused with snakes, these harmless animals are often injured or killed accidentally by people who do not recognize them correctly. Slowworm populations are considered of least concern in terms of conservation by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Possible maximum size
The male slowworm’s body measures up to a maximum of 40 cm, while the female can reach 50 cm. Young slowworms measure between 5 and 10 cm. They live around 20 years, but rarely reach that age in the wild. Reproduction takes place in the spring with frequent fights between males. In the summer, females lay between 5 and 20 eggs.
Are the lizard and the slowworm from the same family?
Anguis fragilis belongs to the Anguidae family.
This reptile is also called the legless lizard.
It looks like lizards, but has no legs or neck.
Is the lizard really fragile?
The glass snake, also known by the scientific name *fragilis*, may appear fragile due to its ability to lose its tail. However, despite this peculiarity, it is not as vulnerable as it seems. Its tail regrows less efficiently than that of a lizard, and it moves less quickly than a typical snake.
Location of slowworms in France
Slowworms can be found all over France, except in some European countries. They generally inhabit below 1200 meters altitude, sometimes up to 2000m. These reptiles are rarer in certain regions of southern Europe.
Residence and living environment
The slowworm likes to hide in dark and humid places like compost, leaf or branch piles, tall grass, or old stumps. It can be spotted in the forest, hedgerow, or wasteland. At home, it sometimes hides under rocks or stored objects.
Slowworm’s diet
The slowworm is a valuable ally for gardeners, as it feeds on various pests such as slugs and snails. It helps to protect the vegetable garden from the damage caused by these unwanted creatures. Although it may eat earthworms, its appetite for other parasites makes it a useful ally in the fight against harmful invasions.
Attracting a slowworm to your garden
To attract a slowworm, consider offering it a humid environment where it can hide and food. A compost heap is ideal as it is full of insects and worms that are its preferred prey. Additionally, the compost provides a cozy warmth for the slowworm in winter. Another tip is to use mulch in your vegetable garden, which allows the slowworm to stay close to the slugs that threaten your plants.
Slowworms: legs or not?
Slowworms have evolved without their legs to better dig. Some pythons retain small pieces of their ancient limbs. With the help of a radiograph, these remnants could be seen in detail.
Youthful slowworms in my garden: what to do?
– Leave the young slowworms alone so they can grow.
– Do not disturb their habitat, as they will help control pests later on.
Pascal Petibon, born in 1980 in Lyon, is a renowned journalist and author, passionate about information and communication. After earning a degree in journalism from the University of Paris, he quickly joined various editorial teams, where he became known for his sharp analysis and clear writing style.