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    Slow worm

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    You might mistake them for snakes, but they are merely legless lizards

    Chris Duncan

    Contrary to its outward appearance, the sluggish worm is neither a worm nor a snake—it is a legless lizard! Also known as deaf adder or blindworm, this species is common throughout Eurasia. Slow worms have a V shape on their heads and scales that partially cover their eyes, giving them a lidded appearance.

    They also have distinctive black or dark brown zig-zag markings on their backs, which help them differentiate from other species of adders. In heathland, tussocky grassland, woodland edges, and rides, slow worms can be found searching for invertebrates to eat and a sunny area to sunbathe.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Albania
    2020
    Andorra
    2020
    Austria
    2020
    Belgium
    2020
    Bosnia And Herz.
    2020
    Bulgaria
    2020
    Croatia
    2020
    Czechia
    2020
    Denmark
    2020
    Finland
    2020
    France
    2020
    Mainland
    Germany
    2020
    Greece
    2020
    Mainland
    Hungary
    2020
    Italy
    2020
    Possibly Extant
    Lithuania
    2020
    Luxembourg
    2020
    Moldova
    2020
    Montenegro
    2020
    Netherlands
    2020
    North Macedonia
    2020
    Norway
    2020
    Poland
    2020
    Portugal
    2020
    Mainland
    Romania
    2020
    Russia
    2020
    Kaliningrad
    Serbia
    2020
    Slovakia
    2020
    Slovenia
    2020
    Spain
    2020
    Mainland
    Sweden
    2020
    Switzerland
    2020
    United Kingdom
    2020
    Great Britain

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Least Concern(IUCN)
    World Population
    Added by BioDB
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    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Anguis fragilis Other names:

    Deaf adder
    Slowworm
    Blindworm
    Long-cripple
    Hazelworm

    Physical traits

    Length: 30 cm (12 in) Weight: 20 – 100 g (0.7 – 4 oz) Lifespan: 54 years Gestation: 11 – 14 weeks Offspring: 6 – 12 live young
    Habitats: Forest Shrubland Savannah/Grassland
    Regions: Asia Europe
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