Best places to see slow worms

6 places to see slow worms

This confusing reptile is called a worm and looks like a snake, but is actually a legless lizard! They have a shiny appearance and come in various shades of brown, from greyish-brown to coppery. Their snakish appearance is betrayed by their lizard-like head, which seems to merge seamlessly into their body, and their eyelids, which snakes lack. Slow worms are found throughout Britain, but have never been found in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Slow worms enjoy a variety of habitats, from heaths to grasslands and woodland edges, and can often be found in large gardens or allotments. You can make your garden more appealing for them with log piles, areas of long grass and a compost heap. If you lay down some cover, like a corrugated sheet or piece of old dark carpet, you may nd slow worms or other reptiles sheltering underneath it.

Reptiles are best looked for on sunny days, but slow worms spend less time basking in the open than other reptiles and can be tricky to spot, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t nd one! Your search could also reveal common lizards, grass snakes or even adders.

Slow worms are often mistaken for snakes.

See the spectacle for yourself 6 5 2

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1 Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

When you’ve nished searching for slow worms along the heaths of this scenic reserve, you can look for red squirrels leaping between the trees, or head down to the beach and hunt for fossils amongst the pebbles. Where: Yarmouth, PO41 0AB

2 Emer Bog and Baddesley Common Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

The mosaic of habitats in these two reserves mean they are home to varied wildlife. Slow worms and other reptiles including adders and grass snakes are widespread. Look out for hobbies, warblers and stonechats and one of the many species of dragon y found here. Where: North Baddesley, SO51 9BN

3 Blow’s Downs, The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants

The slopes of these steep chalk hills are covered in wild owers, from the frothy white of great pignut to the purple hues of scabious and knapweed, with patches of scrub to shelter wildlife. Regular monitoring con rms a thriving population of slow worms. Where: Dunstable, LU5 4AE

4 Chobham Common, Surrey Wildlife Trust

One of the nest examples of lowland heath in the UK, Chobham Common National Nature Reserve is home to many reptiles. As well as slow worms, there are adders, grass snakes, common lizards and the extremely rare sand lizard. Where: Chobham, KT16 0ED

5 Hook Common and Bartley Heath Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Open heaths and woodland provide the perfect habitat for reptiles, including slow worms. Look out for the Exmoor ponies that graze the site as well as rare orchids and wild owers. Where: Hook, RG27 9UP

6 Bovey Heathfi eld, Devon Wildlife Trust

Once scarred by o -road vehicles and burned-out-cars, Bovey Heath eld is now a tranquil nature reserve. Follow the network of paths to explore this beautiful landscape of gorse and heather, home to slow worms, common lizards, grass snakes and adders. Where: Bovey Tracey, TQ12 6TU

Did you discover any slow worms ?

When spotting slow worms, please be sure to follow Government guidance on social distancing and stay local. And remember to tweet us your best photos! @HantsIWWildlife