Secret Life of the Slow Worm

At this time of year many people are removing the sheeting that has covered their allotment over the winter, in readiness for spring cultivation and planting. Tread carefully, for if you are lucky there may be a slow worm enjoying the warmth under the plastic. This legless lizard is definitely your friend as it loves to eat slugs.

Although often mistaken for a snake, the slow worm is easy to recognise by its uniform shiny brown colour and oval eyes. The slow worm dislikes bright sunlight and is most likely to be seen in the evening or after a shower as this is when slugs are most active. It hunts along the bottom of hedges and in long grass – so leave some patches of grass at the edge of your plot for this helpful visitor. You may also find it in your compost heap, where it finds warmth as well as plenty of slugs.

You can encourage slow worms to take up residence by laying down some curved roof tiles in a rough part of the plot. These make ideal shelters as the slow worm can get comfortably warm without exposing itself to the sun. Slow worms give birth to live young and you might find the babies – like shiny pieces of string – under the shelters in the autumn.

Submitted by Jane, Plot 9