Wildlife

Slow Worm Welfare in UK Gardens in 2025

Slow worms are legless lizards fully protected under UK law. Gardens, allotments and brownfield sites are their primary refugia as agricultural land becomes unsuitable.

Key Facts

Slow worms are lizards, not snakes — they can blink and shed their tails as a defence
They are protected from killing, injury or possession under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Garden compost heaps and under-decking spaces are important refuge and breeding sites
Cats kill significant numbers of slow worms each year
Strimmers cause many slow worm casualties in gardens and allotments

Welfare Considerations

Slow worms killed by domestic cats or strimmers typically die from crush injuries or evisceration. Many garden and allotment owners are unaware of their legal protection or are surprised to find them — and some kill them unnecessarily. Providing artificial refugia (corrugated tin sheets, log piles) and managing vegetation with care significantly reduces slow worm mortality. Cat predation is a significant and largely uncontrolled welfare impact.

What You Can Do

Provide refugia for slow worms — corrugated tin sheets, log piles and compost heaps
Strim low vegetation carefully, checking for slow worms before cutting
Identify slow worms from photographs and share records with ARC
Keep cats indoors during peak slow worm activity (dusk and dawn in summer)
Support Amphibian and Reptile Conservation monitoring and habitat projects