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RAUK - Archived Forum - Slow Worms

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Slow Worms:

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DaveB
Member
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
No. of posts: 1


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Posted: 04 Jun 2005
I am aware that gathering slow worms from the wild is illegal (I wouldn't anyway) but does anyone know where I can get a couple of captive bred cslow worms from?
I've heard they're not difficult to breed so maybe there is someone out there that can help.
Thanks
DaveB
Run for your life!
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 05 Jun 2005

 

Dear Dave

Where abouts do you live? and what sort of 'habitat' surrounds you? I would suggest that you do not keep slowworms indoors rather encourage them to colonise your garden - this may be possible if you live near old gardens, railway line, allotments etc. Of course gathering slowworms from the wild is not a good idea - in fact it is not illegal - but I would strongly advise that you look for ways of encoruaging them into your garden -

if you do not have a suitable garden then i would say that it is unfair to keep them indoors really.

Regards

 

JC


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
Suzi
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
No. of posts: 860


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Posted: 05 Jun 2005

Dave,

If you have slow worms in the area where you live you might be able to encourage them into your garden (if you have one) by building a compost heap and covering it with corrugated iron or black plastic (weighted down). Don't disturb the heap and make it quite large if you can. Slow worms if about will readily move in and live there. They might also breed there - mine do. If you have made it deep enough they will also hibernate there and emerge in March. Careful lifting of the cover will allow you to see them basking and monitor numbers/individuals. They will also go under  pieces of plastic/carpet/tin if laid on the ground.

Incidentally conventional dalek shaped composters are attractive to slow worms if not disturbed too often.


Suz
djp_phillips
Senior Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
No. of posts: 180


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Posted: 28 Jan 2006
Slow worms here enjoy being under things such as palets, iron slabs,
stone slabs, and I often find that these onjects are places on grass,
making a sort of dying vegetation under it.
Reptiles & Amphibians of France:
www.herpfrance.com

European Field Herping Community:
www.euroherp.com
Dan Kane
Senior Member
Joined: 30 Dec 2005
No. of posts: 201


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Posted: 31 Jan 2006

I found one under a stone, on top of moss...

Wet and warm, in a forest track in Ennerdale, Cumbria... A school trip in year 5... What fun.


Dan

www.randacumbria.moonfruit.com
djp_phillips
Senior Member
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
No. of posts: 180


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Posted: 31 Jan 2006
well, they can be found in a variety of places, sometimes more drier
ones... under car tyres in a dump, under abandoned cars and other metal
objects
Reptiles & Amphibians of France:
www.herpfrance.com

European Field Herping Community:
www.euroherp.com

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