Slow worms

When we were in Dorset we spotted a slow worm.  It was the biggest we have seen yet and was about 30cm long.  It's been over a year since we last saw one of these fascinating little characters.  They hibernate from October to March and this slow worm was basking by a stone wall enjoying some final sun joy before heading off for his sleep.

Slow worms are often thought to be snakes but are in fact legless lizards.  They are quite common in this part of the world but are not often seen as they are very reclusive.  It lives on banks or under stones, feeding on slugs and earthworms.  It differs from a snake in having movable eyelids, but also has a flickering tongue.  Sometimes they can be found in garden compost heaps.