Lady Slow worm

[rogesse]

My neighbour has just handed me what he thought was a snake he'd found whilst clearing and outside area at work. After a bit of a google - it seems to be a rather beautiful lady slow worm

I intend to release it onto my allotment come saturday but for the moment she is safely tucked up in small pets tank lined with sawdust and a bowl of water.

What I'd like to know is what (slugs, insects?) and when she will need feeding (neighbour thought she had just eaten when found) and is it ok to release at this time of year especially as snow is predicted for London this week?

She was icey cold when handed to me so I have put the tank under an angle poise lamp.

So advise please as I don't want to hurt her

Thank - you Jane

[Two_Sheds]

they live in compost heaps, so you could put her in yours until spring. She was probably hibernating - I think animals lose body heat and slow their metabolisms down when they go into hibernation, to conserve energy.
They eat slugs and snails. Slow Worm

http://www.narrs.org.uk/slowwormcompost.htm

[digthatchick]

They eat slugs, spiders, worms etc. Not a good idea to keep it in a tank though, a) They need to feed a lot at this time of year as they will hibernate soon, b) it is illegal to keep them as they are protected under the Wildlife Act (1981) beautiful creature though.

[BrideXIII]

i admit to loving these things, however, they get lobbed/relocated as fast as i find them cos the cats bring them in and torment them.

i would put it back near the compost heap if i was you, as fast as possible, they dry out very quickly.

[rogesse]

I think you're right Two Sheds, she was probably disturbed whilst hibernating which is worrying me. Sadly her habitat in the timber yard has gone but perhaps someone living near by will let me release into their garden. If not, it'll be on my compost heap although I've never seen one there and I don't want her to be lonely and mateless come spring!

[BrideXIII]

I think you're right Two Sheds, she was probably disturbed whilst hibernating which is worrying me. Sadly her habitat in the timber yard has gone but perhaps someone living near by will let me release into their garden. If not, it'll be on my compost heap although I've never seen one there and I don't want her to be lonely and mateless come spring!

she wont be, just cos you haven't seen them, i bet they are there , if there is a park near you, that would be good too, long grass and leafy piles she will be snug.

[FionaH]

Apparently my living room is good habitat for them. According to my cat anyhow

[Flummery]

I'd turn off the heat lamp, release her as soon as practical, but don't worry about 'keeping' wildlife when you are doing it to help them. The legislation is to stop people trying to capture wild creatures as pets. My son is a registerd bat handler and we've had injured bats at home, released up to a fortnight later. We even had one whose 'radar' wasn't working and he couldn't be released. He did a sterling job in local schools teaching children about bats and how they are friends to us.

Compost heap, as Two Sheds says, is a great place for a slow worm. I love 'em!

[rogesse]

Thank you all. One of the first things I did was turn off the heat lamp - about 10 mins after getting on the internet, she was quickly relocated to the larder, nice and cool!

This morning she was released into my compost heap and shot off so fast it was hard to get a picture, she's under the carpet somewhere. The word slow seems inappropriate! Thankfully she was plump, shiney, a bit fiesty and without blemish when she went on her way.

I'm certainly relieved that she won't be lonely...!

My son fell in love (actually we all did) - now he wants a snake..........

Thank you again - Jane

[Two_Sheds]

she was released into my compost heap and shot off so fast it was hard to get a picture, she's under the carpet somewhere. The word slow seems inappropriate!

The Latin name Anguis fragilis means 'fragile snake' (they are able to detach their tail if attacked)

It's other common name is Blind Worm (they aren't blind or slow ... )

I can't find a reason for calling it "slow", unless it is from "slough", to slough off it's tail