THE slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is a lizard. It looks like a snake in some respects but its eyelids, a flat forked tongue and its ability to drop its tail to escape from a predator gives its true identity away.

It is probably the most commonly encountered British reptile. It is often found in gardens and is widespread throughout the British Isles. Its appearance is always shiny, the males are grey, the females brown with dark sides and a thin line down the back.

The young, born in September, are thin, about 4cm long with black bellies and gold or silver backs with a thin black line down the middle. Adults can grow up to 30cms. They can live for as long as 20 years.

They can be found in almost any open or semi-open habitat. They like warmth but instead of basking in the open sun, prefers to hide under a stone, log or piece of discarded rubbish. Slow worms are also keen on compost heaps where they find warmth and plenty of food. They feed on slow moving prey.

All native reptiles, including slow worms, are protected in Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and its subsequent amendments.

It is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or sell any of the six native species. Legal protection is necessary to help combat the decline in the numbers and distribution of all the species.

They do not have poisonous venom.