slowworm

The slowworm, aka blindworm, common slowworm, deaf adder, or long-cripple, is neither a worm, nor even a snake. They are a species of legless lizard. These little critters are found throughout Europe and into western and central Asia. These lizards prefer forest edges, grasslands, heathlands, shrublands, woodlands, and rural gardens. Even though they are faced with the threats of habitat destruction and invasive species (and with them disease & predation ), these reptiles are still listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Anguis fragilis Weight: Up to 3.5 ounces Length: Up to 20 inches Lifespan: Up to 54 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) If threatened, they will partake in caudal autonomy (shed their tail).

2.) The slowworm is semifossorial (spends some or most of their lives burrowed in substrate).

3.) These lizards are primarily crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).

4.) From October – March these critters will brumate ( hibernation for reptiles).

5.) A group of lizards is called a lounge.

But wait, there’s more on the slowworm! 6.) Slowworms are polygynandrous (promiscuous – males and females mate with several partners).

7.) Being ovoviviparous, the female will be gravid (pregnant) with internal eggs and then birth live young, reabsorbing the eggs as a means of restoring calcium to her body.

Did you know…? These critters are not venomous and rarely even bite. If handled, they will typically excrete a stinky musk that can be hard to wash off.

8.) Gestation (pregnancy) lasts up to 5 months. The female will birth up to 20 live young from August – October.

9.) These lizards eat worms , slugs , garden snails , insects, and spiders.

10.) Badgers , cats , foxes , snakes, and birds of prey all hunt these lizards.

Now a Short Slowworm Video!

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Think you know a lot about critters? Try your hand at these fun, free quizzes:

Bird Quiz Reptile Quiz Cat Quiz Amphibian Quiz Dolphin Quiz toolTips('.classtoolTips3','

These animals are active during dawn and dusk, or twilight. Animals that are crepuscular are typically so due to the fact that many predators are not active during those times of the day. But as in the case of being diurnal or nocturnal , sometimes the organism is crepuscular in an effort to obtain food that might be present at these times. Mule deer , desert cottontails , coyotes , porcupines , and black-tailed jackrabbits , to name a few, fit into this category.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips5','

This is a state of metabolic depression and inactivity in endothermic (warm blooded) creatures. It is displayed as a reduced heartbeat (by up to 95%), low metabolic rate, slow breathing, and low body temperature. Critters that hibernate typically prepare for it by building up an abundance of body fat during late summer and autumn that helps provide them with energy throughout the winter months. There are 2 types of hibernation: facultative & obligate hibernation. Facultatives hibernate when it’s too cold and food supply has been reduced. Obligates are able to sleep despite access to food and comfortable temperatures. A facultative hibernator would be the black-tailed prairie dog . A few obligate hibernators are: ground squirrels , mouse lemurs , and butterflies .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips14','

Gestation is the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. In other words, pregnancy.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator . The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

Some examples or predators are: raptors , wolves , snakes , cats , and sharks .'); toolTips('.classtoolTips19','

Reptiles undergo this type of dormancy during the late phases of autumn. They typically only wake up to consume water and then go back to sleep. Reptiles eat a great deal of food right before brumation since they can go for months without eating anything. This dormancy can last for about 8+ months depending on the age, health, and size of the reptile in question. This type of dormancy is typically begun by a decrease in daylight and with the onset of cold weather. Reptiles usually don’t brumate during the first year of their lives; rather they simply slow their movements and eat less.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips20','

Fossorial hails from the Latin fossor, which translates to \'digger\'. These animals are adapted to digging and which live primarily, but not solely, underground.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips20','

Fossorial hails from the Latin fossor, which translates to \'digger\'. These animals are adapted to digging and which live primarily, but not solely, underground.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips32','

When an animal is gravid it means that they are pregnant or carrying eggs. This term is often used in conjunction with amphibians and reptiles.

Some animals that are referred to in this definition are: lizards, turtles, snakes, frogs, and toads.');

slowworm

The Harmless Slowworm