Saturday 8 March 2014

It dosn't look like a lizard

Slow Worm
Although they look like snakes, they are not, they are legless lizards. They have all the attributes of a lizard and none of the snake. they have eye lids and ear openings, and can shed their tails to escape predators. They grow to about 16-20 inch, the female being slightly bigger than the male. Like lizards they come out of hiding during warm sunny mornings, finding somewhere to bask in the sun to warm up before going on the hunt for food. Slow worms will feed on slugs earth worms, and certain caterpillars, they give birth to live young, usually golden in colour, and about 4 cm in length. In the photo above, there are two possibly three hiding under a tin sheet, they will find somewhere similar in October when they go into hibernation till the weather warms up the following year. (that must be nice) They are completely harmless, and beautifully smooth to  the touch.
   Linking to Eileen's  Saturday's Critters   http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.co.uk/

21 comments:

  1. It does look like a snake. Thank you for sharing this legless lizard.. It is a new critter to me. Also, thank you for joining in on my Saturday's Critter party. Have a happy weekend!

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  2. Slow worms are new critters for me. I didn't know there was such an animal as a legless lizard.

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  3. Dearest Gordon;
    Wow; funny to know thee are legless lizards. Thank you so much for the new knowledge.

    Sincerely from Japan, xoxo, Miyako*

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  4. Sure "looks" like a snake! I think I've heard of legless lizards before, but don't know that I've even seen one, tip now.

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  5. Fascinating post for SC and great photo ~ thanks, xxx

    artmusedog and carol
    www.acreativeharbor.com

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  6. I've never seen a legless lizard of any kind other than in photos. I'm curious now if we have any in the state.

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  7. New to me too! I'd like to see one and, if I knew for sure what it was, to touch it! Happy to know I'm not the only one to post a reptile!

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  8. Hi Gordon Thanks for this interesting post. I have never heard of these nor saw them Great shots of them

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  9. I'm so glad you have all found it interesting, and thank you for looking in.
    Take care, Gordon.

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  10. Lizard or not....I'd run!!! Fast and furious!!! And never look back.

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  11. Very fascinating to learn about the Slow worm.

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  12. What a fascinating critter Gordon, I never knew of their existence and I thank you so much for educating me. Thanks also for visiting my blog. I have enjoyed popping in here.

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  13. I would have thought it was a snake. Interesting critter!

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  14. It is interesting to learn more of these reptiles.

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  15. Fabulous photo! This is a very interesting critter and it's kind of cute too.

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  16. I knew legless lizards existed, but I've never seen one. Nice shot.

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  17. Are these in your part of the world Gordon? I saw them on Bardsey where you could almost guarantee one under a particular slab behind the obs building.

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  18. I think it is way to early for them yet. Probably another month before I see any.

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  19. Hello Gordon! Your blog is very interesting and contains very nice photographs. We put a translator on our blog (search on the right side over the counter of visits). Best regards! Michał and Piotr from Poland

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A big thank you to everyone for looking in and leaving their comments, much appreciated, Gordon.