Slow worms (Positive Proof)

[tishop]

Clear evidence that slow worms (Anguis fragilis) are good for gardens!



Anyone else here get these wonderful reptiles on their plots?

Tim
http://plot61a.blogspot.com/

[tishop]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Did you take that yourself? It can't have been an easy shot to get.

[tishop]

I got lucky. I had my camera ready as I lifted a piece of old carpet on my plot and the 'worm' was so engrossed in it's meal that I was able to take the shot. Unfortunately as I tried to take another it decided to leave it behind. I was annoyed with myself for disturbing it, but then there are plenty more slugs around this year! :)

[GrannieAnnie]

What an excellent shot!  We don't have slow worms here and I would have taken it for a snake. Wikipedia says you can identify them as a reptile because they have eyelids that blink unlike a snake. I wonder if you'd notice while springing back from such a creature ;D

[betula]

I know they are wonderful but I am so glad I do not have any on my plot.They would scare me big time :)

[Julia]

My partner says will have to buy some!!

[posie]

Ok I'm not a snakey/reptile kind of person - but all hail that slow worm! Can I borrow him please?!  ;D

[Duke Ellington]

That is a fantastic picture!!
We have them but we have had our new allotment covered in carpet and plastic sheets! Every time we lift a section of carpet the slow worm get disturbed. They are very fascinating to watch!!

Duke

[djbrenton]

As our plots are fairly large (600sq yds) and hedged, it's easier to cater for wildlife than on an open plan site. I would take it as the highest compliment to my stewardship of the land if I found a slow worm but sadly I've never seen one on my plot.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Your plots are  just like ours. No slow-worms here either.

[tishop]

Cheers all! Definitely one of my best pics to date.

I looked into them and found this reptile recording site in Kent:

http://www.kentarg.org/content/view/33/39/

Do other folk here have such schemes in their regions?







 

[betula]

I think you should copyright that picture tishop :)

[tishop]

Cheers betula. I first posted it on my blog which has a copyright notice on it. As the most amazing part is Nature herself I can't see myself being bothered by reposts without author recognition. Those that try to make monetary profit by claiming something else was theirs I'm more than sure have 'negative karma' (or worse!) to look forward to! ;)

[camo_lady]

Yes, we have 'some' on our plot. No idea how many as we keep finding different sized ones!  Wonderful creatures and a great joy to have.  We keep putting down places for them to rest up.
J.P.

[manicscousers]

hiya, janval, welcome to the site  ;D
I'd love some on our site but none, as yet , maybe they need time  :)

[twinkletoes]

I think they are lovely creatures.  I pulled back the carpet from the top of my compost box at the weekend and there were about 9  :o :o or so of them of varying sizes all snoozing on the top of the compost.  They scooted off pretty sharpish though once exposed.   ;D ;D   There are loads on our site.
twinkletoes

[robkb]

Brilliant photo - congratulations!

Had slow worms on my old plot, as it had been disused for a couple of years and they had plenty of places to hide and bask, especially when I covered half of it with black plastic. My kids loved peeling back the plastic to see if there were any hiding underneath. Haven't seen any on my new plot (about 50 yards from my old one) but I'm hoping to make it a bit more wildlife-friendly so fingers crossed.

Cheers,
Rob ;)

[Duke Ellington]

We found this one under the plastic covering one of our raised beds ! We rescued it and placed it under a piece of plastic:)



Duke