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Help! Anyone know what this large looking worm is?

DorsetDaveDorsetDave Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Was doing some work in the garden when this ‘thing’ slid its way onto the patio.  Looks like a large worm / small snake due to its eyes. 

Never seen one before and not sure if it would be a concern to us or our dog.

any ideas?
thanks
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Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Slow worm.  https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/reptiles/slow-worm

    Probably out looking for a mate as May is their breeding time - when it's warm enough.   Not harmful but when they have sex on their mind the males can be more bold than their usual shy selves.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2021
    It’s a Slow worm ... you lucky lucky thing 
    Of no harm to anyone but slugs etc.
    Increasingly a rarity, legally protected and the gardener’s friend. 
    You must have good wildlife friendly habitat in your garden 👍 
    https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/reptiles/slow-worm

    Exceedingly jealous here 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DorsetDaveDorsetDave Posts: 5
    Thanks for the prompt replies :). 

    Oo, if it likes slugs then it’s most welcome. There are some nooks and crannies for bugs etc near the back that we deliberately left to encourage wildlife which sounds like something is working.

    Wow! Didn’t appreciate it is protected so cheers for the info link ‘dovefromabove’ and ‘Obelixx’.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    In breeding mode now so keep an eye out .............the young are tiny thin little things and easily damaged by over keen gardeners .
    They won't clear your garden of slugs but should still be treated as a welcome addition to any garden.
    Wouldn't be without my little colony :)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    How wonderful to have slow worms (lizards).
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    There is a difference between Slow worms and lizards - we were lucky enough to have a small colony of Wall lizards here in the SW UK but that was some 30 years ago.  Haven't come across them since sad to say.  Probably about the same time we had Glow Worms - another creature which seems to have disappeared - at least in this locality.  
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    The slow worm is a type of lizard.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    As Fire says, legless lizards! They appreciate some undisturbed tiles or slabs in the corner of the garden to hide under. 
    You are very lucky.
  • DorsetDaveDorsetDave Posts: 5
    Apologies on my ignorance and although reading up on slow worms, are we just lucky because these are a little rare to see in gardens? Egrates, I picked up a handful of old tiles on Freecycle and kept some of the old crazy paving slabs that was in the garden. 

    Likely to be some more around as wary the dog might see it and want to play with it. He saw a frog hop around about a couple years ago and thought it was a toy. Thankfully managed to separate them and the frog went off on its merry way.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    They are getting rarer in the UK. I have seen them in my area, but not in my garden. Would feel honoured if they moved in. They love compost heaps and undisturbed, warm places to nestle - slabs, corrugated iron. Many gardens are too neat these days to leave these kind of habitats about.
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