Found a 4" Slow Worm this morning in a puddle in the local woods.I'd imagine the bank it lived in has been washed out as we've had the heaviest rain in years here.Anyway the little chap was going to drown if it was left in the puddle so I've brought it home.It's at the moment quite happy in a small tank with compost in it.What should I do with it ?
Found a juvenile Slow worm
- Thread starter Trencakey
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I found this though, on bugnation. It sounds as though you're doing fine for the present, but it'll need more shortly, iimmc.
http://www.bugnation.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=242&t=37056
We don't get them here
we do get newts though 
masses of newts.
atb,
M
http://www.bugnation.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=242&t=37056
We don't get them here
we do get newts though masses of newts.atb,
M
let it into your garden?
http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/expert/previous/slowwormspets.aspx
was an interesting [and very brief] read after a slow worm google search - I didn't know they were protected!
http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/expert/previous/slowwormspets.aspx
was an interesting [and very brief] read after a slow worm google search - I didn't know they were protected!
They generally hibernate until early spring, if you do not have a rescue centre of some description that can either take it or give advice then I would be tempted to find a compost heap away from cats/predators and that is not likely to be disturbed until spring and release it on the heap. Don't try and bury it in the heap it should do that for itself, it may well take advantage of the fact that it is awake to grab a few slugs before settling back down again. If a rescue site is available though try there first.
D.B.
D.B.
Our area is heaving with them we had some very mature ones and loads of adolescents i have relocated about 30 so far.
Thank you all = I looked it up. A legless lizard, in fact. No wonder they are protected.
But for the slugs in my garden next summer, please send me 50 of them.
But for the slugs in my garden next summer, please send me 50 of them.
Yes, they should be hibernating at this time of year under the soil. IIRC the best thing to do if you find one while it should be hibernating is to not touch it or bring it inside as raising their temperature causes their metabolism to rise and it can harm them (move them using gloves IIRC). Having said that it would have surely died if you left it so at least it might now have a chance.
Slow Worms can actually swim quite well.Their biggest predators are domestic Cat's so hopefully you don't get too many round your garden. If you do, it's probably better to move it somewhere else.
I thought they were cold blooded though, and having worked in those puddles or bitterly cold rainwater I have to admit that my hands ached, I don't know how well a wee four inch lizard would do in one.
M
M
Best thing to do is put it in dense grass,bracken etc close to where you found it. It will die indoors as it won't feed and it's biological functions will be screwed up in that environment. If it is warmish tomorrow, best advice, take it back. It will know the scents of its own habitat and seek safety.
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