Slow Worm Mating sequence

This is a first for me. Slow worms (Anguis fragilis) are one of our most common reptiles and there are always a few lurking in the corners of the garden. They are lizards (not snakes, despite being ‘legless’): they have eyelids (snakes don’t) and ear openings (snakes don’t have those either). Usually they are fairly static, and you can often find them underneath pots or stones (they like the warmth, being lizards). They are quite keen on compost bins as well (warmth).

This morning I popped into the garden and spotted two of them on the corner of the patio. And then I realized what was going on. This was the slow worm mating ritual. I dashed inside and grabbed the camera.

Slow worms at the start of mating
Slow worms at the start of mating
The male bites the female on her neck as they begin to entwine
The male bites the female on her neck as they begin to entwine
slow worms mating
Here they both seem to be having a nibble!
slow worms mating
More biting!
Pair of slow worms mating
Quite a tangle
slow worms mating
And finally they separate

The female will produce live young in late July or August. Apparently the young are born in their egg sac. I’ll be watching out for them, but the chance of seeing them at just the right time is remote.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. gdare

    29 May 2016

    Wow, this was interesting. Seeing young ones would be a plus but as you said, it might not happen.

    1. Words

      30 May 2016

      It depends on my timing and if the female stays in the same part of the garden. I don’t want to disturb them, and they are quite well hidden under a lot of garden debris.

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