A slow worm, which is not slow, found in our grass compost. We put corrugated sheets of iron over our grass heaps. On hot days, the cry will go up, “I’m going to check for snakes”, and the children will rush from every corner to be there. Then we lift the sheets.
If we’re lucky, we’ll see grass snakes or slow worms. Sometimes both. Either adults or babies, enjoying the warmth of the metal sheet.
Most slither away quickly. Always we cover up again, after our curiosity is satisfied, to reduce disturbing them. Very occasionally we pick them up. The grass snakes give off a foul smell. The slow worms play dead, then curl themselves around our hands.
(The slow worms are not snakes. They are legless lizards and eat our slugs, among other things.)
We love seeing them. They may not be cuddly or everyone’s cup of tea, but they are part of the picture that makes our garden and surrounding area. It’s a sign of a healthy food chain. It shows the diversity in our garden and they are welcome.
Hi Cheryl, I remember looking for slow worms and grass snakes as a child, but not once did we ever come across one in the garden. How fascinating it must be for your children to be able to get close up with them and even better that you have taught them to leave them how they were found.
xx
We try and encourage the children to interact with the wildlife. It stops fear and misunderstandig, but putting them back wher they’ve found them is a must. Imagine being dumped down in an unknown neighbourhood.
Amazing focus on this, love the detail. My girls would love to see one in the garden
Thank you for linking up
I hope they find one.
That’s a wonderful photo, I found one on the coast path last week, my photo isn’t nearly as good as this one #MySundayPhoto
How wonderful. Good to hear.
I could certainly be like those slow worms or snakes as I usually am in the warmest spot. Having living as an expat in the Middle East and Australia to name but two…I like the warmth. Don’t ask me why we are now living in the North East of Scotland.
Fantastic photo…I love the perspective. He looks like he’s smiling for the camera.
Have a great Sunday
Ha! I missed him with his tongue out.
We used to have slow worms in my childhood garden but they disappeared sometime back. Sadly I’ve only seen them a few times in the last ten years or so, mostly undercorrugated iron at our local nature reserve.
The population is down. Cats are their main predators, or so I read. Definitely worth encouraging in gardens or else where.
Love this little fella!
He is fabulous.
I dont know if knowing they are not snakes helped in me being brave to hold one if I see one 😕
The children queue up to hold them. They really are rather lovely and, somehow, don’t feel like a snake.
I’m guessing we don’t have those here, as I’ve never heard of a slow worm. It sure looks like a snake! My brother just found a grass snake yesterday when he moved a rock. I’ve never encountered one in the yard, but don’t think I’d mind if I did – it’s big spiders that creep me out!
Not sure you have slow worms in the US. We have grass snakes in the garden. Each year we have a tide of little toads going through the garden and the snakes line up to eat them, so we tend to see them more then.
Oh no! Toads are cute. 🙁 How many is a tide? Zillions?
More like hundreds, maybe thousands. They are tiny. Depends if they are having a good year. Just baby toadlets. They arrive at one side of our property and work their way towards the woods. Sometimes getting lost in our kitchen and need a helping hand. Some do stay, but most keep moving. It is quite a sight.
What a fabulous shot. I can remember finding slow worms when I was a child, I haven’t seen any in years x
Thank you Cathy. They are down on their numbers, so I am heartedly glad that we have such a healthy population in our garden.
How fascinating to see a slow worm up close. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before.
I still get excited every time I find one. They are wonderful creatures.