The Gardener’s Friend – The Slow Worm
The slow worm is often known as the gardener’s friend, but it is neither slow nor a worm. It is actually a legless lizard. But whilst it can be slow at stalking its prey, its name actually comes from the old English sla-wyrm meaning slay worm, because it kills worms.
It is often called the gardener’s friend because it eats large quantities of slugs.
Slow worms are shiny and can vary in colour from bronze to grey to brown. Males are usually greyish, whilst females tend to be brown or bronze. There is also a blue spotted variety, but this is more common on coastal areas and usually when the animal is at least three years of age.
Slow worms can be confused with snakes as they tend to look like snakes. But they differ in an important ways – They have eyelids and can blink – snakes don’t. But they do have black forked tongues which they flick out of their mouths and use as feelers. Because of this, they can be confused with snakes, in particular adders. Because of this they are often slaughtered, even though they are actually harmless and safe to handle AND good for your garden.
Slow worms live in open woods and beneath rocks and stones, but they can be found in domestic gardens. Usually in compost heaps or areas of longer grass.
If you want to encourage slow worms into your garden, leave some untidy areas or overgrown rockery. They need light, loose, well drained soil that they can burrow into.
They are common in Great Britain, but only in the Burren part of Ireland. They have been found in other countries, such as western Asia, North Africa and Europe.
The slow worm is actually protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so should not be harmed or killed.
They love slugs, particularly grey slugs with attack lettuces, snails, caterpillars and other grubs.
So if you see a slow worm, don’t hurt it, it’s your friend in the garden.
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