Is this a snake?

[supersingle]

I just found it in my back garden. It's about 8" long and has a forked tongue.

Am I going to die?

[PoleDriver]

[vinnie01]

Be more descrpitive. Its most likely a harmless to humans grass snake

[supersingle]

[Zoon]

It's actually a slow-worm which is a lizard.

[PoleDriver]

It's a slow-worm and harmless!

I wish I had some in my garden to eat the nasties!

[supersingle]

[vinnie01]

Aye Slow worm.

[PoleDriver]

FYI

"Being most active at dusk, slow worms eat mainly slow moving prey such as slugs, worms, snails as well as the odd insect and spider. They do not bite people and are completely harmless. Slow worms, are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to kill them. Should you happen upon a slow worm, the best thing to do is to leave it alone or cover it back over carefully."

[supersingle]

Phew!

I haven't touched him. He's crawled into my garage now.

[Podie]

Not seen one for years. Would love to have some in our garden.

[Nightmare]

oh thats gorgeous - wish we had some. you might get baby slow worms!

VERY jealous

[supersingle]

Haha, I thought it was a baby snake. If that's how big they get I'm not worried. The OH isn't so happy though!

We've just had a brood of Blackbirds fledge a nest so hopefully they won't spot the little fellow.

[PoleDriver]

They aren't slimy, they don't bite, they don't have legs, they eat garden pests, you'll be hard pressed to even know they're there... What's not to like?

[Podie]

Blackbirds are safe. They're known as the gardener's friend, so avoid slug pellets.

Cats are their biggest predators.

[supersingle]

PoleDriver said:

They aren't slimy, they don't bite, they don't have legs, they eat garden pests, you'll be hard pressed to even know they're there... What's not to like?

I'm happy to have slow-worms in the garden. You're right though, we've been here for two years and spend lots of time in the garden but this is the first one we've seen. Hopefully he'll eat some of the slugs that have been feasting on my lettuces.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Nightmare said:

oh thats gorgeous - wish we had some. you might get baby slow worms!

VERY jealous

They love to breed under something heavy, safe and damp. A square of corrugated iron in a corner of the garden on soil is a winner.