Italian slow worm (Anguis veronensis)

Short answers

Italian slow worm: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm for 1–2 animals.

Italian slow worm: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, basking spot 25–28 °C (small, half-shaded basking spot; little need for warmth), at night 12–16 °C.

Italian slow worm: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (crepuscular and secretive), weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1) beneficial.

Italian slow worm: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: often 20–30 years in captivity, individuals over 40 years.

Italian slow worm: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

25–28 °C (small, half-shaded basking spot; little need for warmth)

Humidity

60–80 % (offer a humid and a dry zone)

UVB

UVB not essential (crepuscular and secretive), weak UVB (Ferguson zone 1) beneficial

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm for 1–2 animals

Substrate

A deep, loose, slightly damp forest floor or humus and sand with leaf litter, moss, flat hides and pieces of bark

Feeding

Food

Slugs (preferred), earthworms, small insects, isopods, spiders

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–50 cm total length

Life expectancy

often 20–30 years in captivity, individuals over 40 years

Origin

The Italian peninsula and south-eastern France (a southern European endemic; formerly part of the Anguis fragilis complex)

Protection status

Strictly protected (Bern Convention; EU law). In Germany European reptiles count as specially or strictly protected – only captive-bred animals with proof of origin, registration with the nature conservation authority; taking from the wild is prohibited

Brumation

A winter rest of several months is essential: about 3–4 months at 4–8 °C, frost-free (October/November to March)

Cohabitation

Group or pair housing is possible: the species is not very territorial and tolerates a small group in a sufficiently large, structured terrarium; avoid overstocking and feeding competition.

Notes

The husbandry data are largely derived from the slow worm complex (Anguis fragilis). No high warmth requirement – overheating is a common keeping mistake. Very shy, and it needs plenty of cover. It lays no eggs (live-bearing).

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Related species

• Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) – Intermediate
• Eastern slow worm (Anguis colchica) – Intermediate
• Peloponnese slow worm (Anguis cephallonica) – Intermediate
• Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) – Intermediate
• Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis) – Intermediate
• Hart's glass lizard (Dopasia harti) – Intermediate
• California legless lizard (Anniella pulchra) – Intermediate
• Moroccan glass lizard (Ophisaurus koellikeri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Italian slow worm (Anguis veronensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for 1–2 animals), substrate (A deep, loose, slightly damp forest floor or humus and sand with leaf litter, moss, flat hides and pieces of bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.