The garden wakes up!
By sussexsarah
13 comments
In all of my house hunts there has been a moment when I knew that that the intended house is right, and it came this time when the previous occupier mentioned the slow-worms, so it has been with some longing that I have been waiting for them to wake up and start gobbling slugs.
Then this morning I saw this beauty. I am no expert so I dont know whether this is Mr or Mrs but there are two of them (or more) happily living under one of my wonky garden steps, and sunbathing just where they will get right in the way! Wonderful.
Just in case anyone is reading this and thinking ugh a snake – no it isn’t. A slow worm is technically a lizard though I had a pretty good look at this one and there is no sign of legs that I can see!
As you can tell from the photo they are absolutely and utterly harmless charming creatures who do not bite even when we pick them up. I try to make sure that I’m not wearing perfume when handling but otherwise I believe that there is no problem with handling them – please shout if you know otherwise.
Their only annoying habit is a tendency to throw themselves under lawnmowers and spades with staggering regularity.
21 Mar, 2010
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Comments
I've never seen one, are they indigenous ?
21 Mar, 2010
i too would love some of those,anything that would eat slugs never heard of these before..:o))
21 Mar, 2010
I'm really shocked - I was expecting you all to have some so I looked this up in Wikipedia. It says:
"They are common in gardens and can be encouraged to enter and help remove pest insects by placing black plastic or a piece of tin on the ground. On warm days one or more slow worms will often be found underneath these collectors of heat. One of the biggest causes of mortality in slow worms in suburban areas is the domestic cat, from which it has no defense."
I'm afraid that we chase cats from the garden because of the birds - so perhaps that helps: certainly our chickens used to regard them as a delicacy! We always used to find that they lived in our compost heap - a real nuisance as it means you have to be really careful with the spade, and use hands instead. They swim too which is rather fun!
21 Mar, 2010
yes they are native to Britain Heron. I have seen them but not in my garden :o(
21 Mar, 2010
I would like some, they look friendly enough, useful too if they eat S&S's I wonder if they eat little worms. Actually I'd like more ordinary worms too, there's hardly any in my compost. I wonder
22 Mar, 2010
It's good that you have these. I have never seen one in any of my gardens.
22 Mar, 2010
Yes, we have them here - and also the occasional grass snake. They make me jump out of my skin - but only because of the unexpected movement. LOL.
22 Mar, 2010
I've only ever seen them on tv.
22 Mar, 2010
We have them here too. Be very careful when handling them or you may find one 'drops' its tail, a defence mechanism. It will regrow but smaller.
22 Mar, 2010
do you mean its tail drops off Wagger..
22 Mar, 2010
Yes they do, but only if you harrass them by trying to catch them by the tail. If you pick them up when they are cold they are pretty sluggish till your body warmth warms them and then they ask to be put down again.
23 Mar, 2010
It must be very handy to throw part of your body away and then regrow it - several types of lizard can do this.
23 Mar, 2010
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they are wonderful. They have eyelids unlike snakes. There are some leg bones inside their bodies. and you will be pleased to know you wont hurt them by gentle handling.
I am so envious, I would love some of these.
21 Mar, 2010