Slow worm (Anguis fragilis)

Short answers

Slow worm: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×40 cm with deep substrate they can dig in; an outdoor enclosure is ideal.

Slow worm: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, basking spot 25–28 °C (small, subdued warm spot – no overheating), at night 10–15 °C.

Slow worm: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (secretive and crepuscular), but weak UVB and natural sun outdoors are beneficial.

Slow worm: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: very long-lived: 20–30 years in captivity, record 54 years (Copenhagen Zoo).

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

10–15 °C

Basking spot

25–28 °C (small, subdued warm spot – no overheating)

Humidity

60–80 % (humid, but not wet)

UVB

UVB not essential (secretive and crepuscular), but weak UVB and natural sun outdoors are beneficial

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×40 cm with deep substrate they can dig in; an outdoor enclosure is ideal

Substrate

Deep, loose, damp forest floor, leaf litter and moss with drainage (gravel) and a shallow water section (they dig deep)

Feeding

Food

Soft prey: earthworms, slugs, small snails; no hard beetles are needed

Feeding interval

2–3×/week (earthworms of a suitable size)

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~40–50 cm total length

Life expectancy

very long-lived: 20–30 years in captivity, record 54 years (Copenhagen Zoo)

Origin

Europe and western Asia; humid forests, meadows and gardens; native to Germany; a legless lizard (not a snake)

Protection status

Specially protected (German nature conservation and species protection law), a native species; only documented captive-bred animals, registration required; taking from the wild is illegal

Brumation

A winter rest is essential: about November to April at ~4–8 °C; it digs deep (down to ~1.5 m)

Cohabitation

Group housing is possible: slow worms are an exception among lizards, being non-territorial and tolerating each other well in a large, structured enclosure.

Notes

A burrowing, hidden legless lizard; keep it cool and humid, with NO strong heat or dryness. Very long-lived. Reptile of the Year 2017. Common mistakes: too warm, substrate too shallow, and unsuitable (hard) food.

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Related species

• Italian slow worm (Anguis veronensis) – 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 Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×40 cm with deep substrate they can dig in; an outdoor enclosure is ideal), substrate (Deep, loose, damp forest floor, leaf litter and moss with drainage (gravel) and a shallow water section (they dig deep)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.