Wildlife

Slow Worm Welfare in Gardens and Grassland

Slow worms are legless lizards that benefit significantly from garden habitat and are threatened by cat predation, strimmer injury and loss of rough grassland habitats.

Key Facts

Slow worms are legless lizards that live up to 50 years - among the longest-lived lizards
They are fully legally protected in the UK
Cats kill large numbers of slow worms in garden habitats
They give birth to live young and feed primarily on slugs and small invertebrates
Compost heaps and corrugated iron sheets are important habitat for slow worms in gardens

Welfare Considerations

Slow worm welfare is primarily threatened in garden habitats by cat predation and strimmer injuries. Cats do not typically eat slow worms but the injuries they inflict are often fatal. Strimming of rough grass kills slow worms that cannot escape quickly enough. Their long lifespan means each individual represents significant welfare value. Deliberate killing of slow worms is illegal but sometimes occurs due to misidentification as snakes.

What You Can Do

Keep cats indoors or use a cat bib to reduce slow worm predation
Check for slow worms before strimming rough grass areas
Create rough grass, compost and log pile habitat for slow worms
Never harm slow worms - they are fully protected by law
Participate in reptile surveys to monitor slow worm garden populations