Slow-worm Anguis fragilis

The Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) is a legless lizard – not a snake – and one of Britain’s most frequently misidentified reptiles. Its smooth, coppery skin and blunt tail distinguish it from snakes on close inspection. It favours a wide range of habitats with a combination of sunny basking spots and dense ground cover, including heathland, rough grassland, hedgerow banks, and gardens. In Suffolk, it is recorded across much of the county, though it has declined from many former sites. It is particularly associated with the Sandlings and coastal habitats, as well as rough garden and allotment sites. Providing log piles, compost heaps, and undisturbed rough ground in gardens makes a genuine contribution to this species’ conservation. Image: © Paul Kitchener, Flickr. 

Find out more: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, iNaturalist