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Anguis fragilis


Anguis fragilis
Photo Information
Copyright: Mn Gl (marjan) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 459 W: 14 N: 366] (2685)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-03
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-08 11:09
Viewed: 3732
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Anguis fragilis (the slow worm, slow-worm, slowworm, blindworm or blind worm) is a limbless reptile native to Eurasia.

Slow-worms are lizards. The skin of the varieties of slow-worm is smooth with scales that do not overlap one another. Like some other lizards, slow-worms autotomize, meaning that they have the ability to shed their tails in order to escape predators. The tail regrows, but seldom to its former length.

These reptiles are active during the day and like to bask in the sun. They are carnivorous and, because they feed on slugs and worms, they can often be found in long grass.

The females give birth to live young (viviparous birth). In the days leading up to birth the female can often be seen basking in the sun on a warm road.

They are common in gardens and can be encouraged to enter and help remove pest insects by placing black plastic or a piece of tin on the ground. On warm days one or more slow worms will often be found underneath these collectors of heat.

Although these lizards are often mistaken for snakes, there are a number of features that differentiate them from snakes. The most important is they have small eyes with eyelids that blink. This is a feature that is not found in snakes. They also have notched tongue rather than a forked tongue, which is a common feature of a snake. They shed their skin in patches like other lizards, rather than the whole skin as most snakes do.

Adult slow-worms grow to be about 50 cm long and are known for their exceptionally long life; it has been said that a slow-worm is the longest living lizard, living about thirty years in the wild and up to fifty-four years in captivity. The female often has a stripe along the back and the male may have blue spots.
IulianGherghel, JoseMiguel, fartash, kjpweb, JORAPAVI has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi,
Very nice picture with good composition, a good POV and fine colors.
TFS
Iulian

Hi Marjan,
A very impressive capture of this reptile!
Its very good the way its skin shines, and the clear details got at the head.
Amazing the way it is coiled around the trunc.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

Hello Marjan
We're neighbours today :-)
Great portrait of this Slow worm,
Perfect details,composition and lighting,
Superb shot.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • kjpweb Gold Star Critiquer [C: 326 W: 86 N: 1084] (4788)
  • [2007-06-08 14:55]

Very interesting and nice colors! Good focus and info along with it! TFS Klaus

Hola Marjan,
Una toma poco habitual en TN, excelente la definición y detalle conseguidos. Saludos
José Ramón

Hi again Marjan, splendid portrait with excellent focus, very well done, again a nice week end, ciao Silvio

Great shot and unusual. I love the colour of these creatures and their benign appearance which you have captured perfectly.
Julian

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