Slow Worm
Anguis fragilis • Class: Reptilia; Order: Squamata; Suborder: Anguimorpha; Family: Anguidae; Subfamily: Anguinae; Genus: Anguis; Species: Anguis fragilis. Note: This is a legless lizard, not a snake.
Venomous Status
Non-venomous
Danger Level
Harmless. They are shy, non-aggressive, and lack the specialized teeth or delivery systems to cause harm to humans.
Geographic Range
Widespread throughout Europe, from the United Kingdom (except Ireland) and Scandinavia in the north, through Central Europe, into parts of North Africa and Western Asia.
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern. However, they are protected in many countries (e.g., the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) where it is illegal to kill or injure them.
Physical Description
Cylindrical, legless body with smooth, overlapping scales that give it a polished, metallic appearance. Coloration ranges from grey and brown to bronze or copper. Females and juveniles often have a dark dorsal stripe and dark flanks. Unlike snakes, they possess eyelids and visible ear openings. The head is small and blunt.
Size & Dimensions
Typically 30-40 cm in length, with a maximum of approximately 50 cm. This specimen appears to be an adult of average size.
Habitat
Found in varied habitats including meadows, gardens, open woodlands, heathlands, and forest edges. They prefer moist areas with thick ground cover and are often found under logs, rocks, or compost heaps. Elevation range from sea level to over 2,000 meters.
Behavior & Temperament
Slow-moving, semi-fossorial, and crepuscular; most active during dusk and dawn. They are extremely docile and their primary defense is autotomy (shedding their tail) to distract predators like birds or snakes.
Diet & Feeding
Slow-moving invertebrates including slugs, snails, earthworms, and spiders. They are active hunters that use smell and sight to locate prey.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (giving birth to live young from eggs held inside the body). Females typically produce 6-12 young in late summer or early autumn.
Venom Profile
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with snakes such as the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) or Adder (Vipera berus). They are distinguished from snakes by their ability to blink, leur small ear holes, and the way their tail can snap off.
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern. However, they are protected in many countries (e.g., the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) where it is illegal to kill or injure them.
Cultural Significance
Often misunderstood as snakes, leading to unnecessary persecution. Ecologically, they are highly beneficial to gardeners as they feed on common garden pests like slugs.
Notable Features
Often called a 'blindworm,' though it is not blind. It is one of the longest-lived reptiles, with records of individuals living over 50 years in captivity.