How can I tell if it's a slow worm or a snake?

Look at the eyes – slow worms have eyelids and can blink, whilst snakes have a fixed transparent scale over their eyes and never blink. If you see it close its eyes, it's definitely a slow worm, not a snake.

Are slow worms dangerous to humans?

No, they're completely harmless. They can't bite effectively (their mouths are tiny and designed for eating slugs), they have no venom, and they're actually quite beneficial as they eat garden pests like slugs and snails.

Why do slow worms have no legs if they're lizards?

They're legless lizards – a legitimate evolutionary adaptation where their ancestors essentially decided legs weren't necessary. It's a perfectly valid evolutionary strategy that several lizard species have independently developed.

Meet the Wild Locals

The Slow Worm Legless Question: When a Lizard Looks Like a Snake and Acts Like Neither

Slow worms are legless lizards that blink, give birth to live young, and spend most of their time under flat stones digesting slugs very slowly. They're completely harmless and surprisingly common, which doesn't stop the usual confusion.

3 August 20268 min read