Nature Trail – Slow Worms
OVERVIEW
Welcome to Citizen Zoo's Nature Trail! Keep searching around Kingston for more facts about our 12 species - our map can be accessed below. If you would like to support Citizen Zoo's Treasure Hunt and goal to Rewild Our Future, please consider making a donation today or becoming a member (there is further information on how to do this below).
A slow worm, in spite of their appearance and name, is neither a snake or a worm, but a legless lizard!
As with other lizards, slow worms will shed their tails when threatened as a defence mechanism. Once shed the tail will continue moving to distract the predator. Check out the video here!
In our gardens, slow worms can often be found in our compost heaps, where they eat a range of invertebrates, including slugs, worms, snails and spiders.
As cold blooded animals, you will see them basking in the spring and summer sunshine to warm up.
Slow worms can reach 8 to 20 inches long!
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