"Slow-worm", "Slowworm", and "blindworm" redirect here. For the genus, see Anguis.
Slow worm
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Squamata
Family:
Anguidae
Genus:
Anguis
Species:
A. fragilis
Binomial name
Anguis fragilis
Linnaeus, 1758
Range of A. fragilis
The slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is a reptile native to western Eurasia. It is also called a deaf adder, a slowworm,[2][3] a blindworm, or regionally, a long-cripple and hazelworm. These legless lizards are also sometimes called common slowworms. The "blind" in blindworm refers to the lizard's small eyes, similar to a blindsnake (although the slowworm's eyes are functional).
Slow worms are semifossorial[4] (burrowing) lizards, spending much of their time hiding underneath objects. The skin of slow worms is smooth with scales that do not overlap one another. Like many other lizards, they autotomize, meaning that they have the ability to shed their tails to escape predators. While the tail regrows, it does not reach its original length. In the UK, they are common in gardens and allotments, and can be encouraged to enter and help remove pest insects by placing black plastic or providing places to shelter such as piles of logs, corrugated iron sheets or under tiles.[5] On warm days, one or more slow worms can often be found underneath these heat collectors. One of the biggest causes of mortality in slow worms in suburban areas is the domestic cat, against which it has no defence.[6]
Slow worms have been shown to be a species complex, consisting of 5 distinct but similar species.
^Agasyan, A.; Avci, A.; Tuniyev, B.; et al. (2021). "Anguis fragilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T47113126A744263. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T47113126A744263.en. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
^The "slow-" in slowworm is distinct from the English adjective slow ("not fast"); the word comes from Old English slāwyrm, where slā- means 'earthworm' or 'slowworm' and wyrm means "serpent, reptile". ("Slowworm". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2017.)
^"Anguis fragilis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
^"Feeding state and selected body temperatures in the slow worm" (PDF). Herpetological Journal. 18: 59–62. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
^Vernon, Jean (24 July 2019). "How can I help garden slow worms?". Richard Jackson Garden. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
^"Slow worm | The Wildlife Trusts". www.wildlifetrusts.org. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
The slowworm (Anguis fragilis) is a reptile native to western Eurasia. It is also called a deaf adder, a slowworm, a blindworm, or regionally, a long-cripple...
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30 May 2014. "The Wildlife Trusts - Slowworm". Retrieved 30 May 2014. Duncan, James. "Species of the day: Slow-worm". Sussex Wildlife Trust. Retrieved...
Jandzik, Petros Lymberakis, Daniel Jablonski, Jirˇ í Moravec (2010). "Slowworm, Anguis fragilis (Reptilia: Anguidae) as a species complex: Geneticstructure...
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viper species also found in the United States Anguis fragilis, a.k.a. slowworm Heterodon platirhinos, a.k.a. the eastern hognose snake, a harmless species...
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supports many rare species including turtle doves, barbastelle bats, slow-worms and barred grass snakes; it has become a major nesting site for nightingales;...
and invertebrates, as well as reptiles, including the common lizard and slow-worm, and rabbits. Prehistoric barrows, and Stone Age and Bronze Age artefacts...
European green lizard and the snake-eyed skink as also the legless Greek slowworm and the European glass lizard. Of the snakes of Corfu, only the nose-horned...
beetles, and snails, amphibians such as salamanders, reptiles such as the slow-worm, as well as birds and small mammals. One third of all woodland birds live...
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