The Living Forest (201) : Slowworm

The Living Forest (201) : Slowworm

The Slowworm is a legless lizard that is often mistaken for a snake.
Features that differentiate the Slowworm from snakes are the presence of eyelids and ear openings.

This shy reptile prefers to live in a humid biotope and is mostly active during twilight (and therefore difficult to photograph).
As with most reptiles, the Slowworm hibernates in areas which are not subject to frost and spends the winter underground where the temperature is relatively stable.

It's also sometimes referred to as the Blindworm, though scientists consider this to be incorrect since this animal is not blind at all.

Dutch name : Hazelworm
German name : Blindschleiche
Latin name : Anguis fragilis