Britain in COLD BLOOD - The Slow Worm

Hi, I'm Ben Waddams. Join me on a hunt for Britain's cold-blooded species - Reptiles, Crustaceans and Amphibians. Here, we're in central Buckinghamshire to find the Slow Worm.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• education
• britain
• cold
• blood
• wildlife
• nature
• reptile
• snake
• ben
• waddams
• slow
• worm
• prey
• capture
• amateur
• documentary
• irwin

[phonicsfan1]

where i do a spot of fishing in south west scotland up the hills in a dam ive been told there is a lot of slow worms and adders about in the long grass and marshy land at the dam, ive never seen one but if i did i want to know if there harmless or if they would take a bite at you.

suppose midges are the worlds worst for biting lol

[benwaddams]

@phonicsfan1 Hiya mate. Sounds like my perfect fishing spot! Adders are venomous, but if you don't suffer from bee stings, then you have nothing to worry about if one bites you. However they are very very shy and even in hotspots, I often don't see them, let alone have them slithering around my feet. So either way, you're quite safe. Slow worms are completely harmless and very beautiful up close. Let me know if you see any. Thanks,

Ben

[Herper666]

Hey Ben.... Everyone in my family has seen a grass snake near where I live without try - obvioulsy(by my name) you can tell I love herps and I look every year for grass snakes and cant find them! any suggestions on where to look? what time of year etc?

[benwaddams]

Well mate, you asked me at the right time of year!! As I'm sure you know, our reptiles will be out on the prowl in the next couple of weeks. I think there is a cold snap this next week, but the week after, should be all go! You want to have a quick search on the internet to see if there are any reserves or parks near you with a grass snake population, then head out on a few suuny and warm forecast days between 9 and 11am is the best time. Look near water or patches of good sunlight. Cheers,

Ben

[deepskanker]

i saw one this morning it must have been one of these under a piece of bogwood next to my pond! was lovely i enjoyed its company!

[1234goodwin1234]

Hi ben,

I love all of your videos as i'm also a reptile enthusiast, and keen fisherman. I also live in central Buckinghamshire, and would love to know where this nature reserve is please? The only reptile i've ever been lucky enough to see in England (apart from my collection) Is a hatchling grass snake a few years ago, i'd love to be able to see some slow worms/grass snakes or maybe even an adder!

Keep up the good work mate. :)

[benwaddams]

@OlgaTheBrownFox Hiya mate. It's not illegal to keep them as pets, but they are harder to keep than most think. They mainly eat small slugs and although you may find plenty of large ones, the smaller ones can be difficult. I'd rather see them in the wild, study them and watch them return.

Thanks,

Ben

[FooootballFreak]

omg ur lucky then :D i have always ben interested in slow worms (and other reptiiles) but after actually finding one i fell in love with them :D WANT to find more :D but its far from my house :(

[kashmunky1]

i have loads in my back garden. i get like 10 per week in the summer!

[mikesherps]

i know i was not looking for it but i found one in my nans garden. have got some pics i will upload

[HAHAHADIIIIIIIIIIVE]

Hmmm, a smooth snake in suffolk? im pretty sure that smooth snakes are only found in Hampshire, Dorset and surrey, and, i think a small area in west sussex, i think they were once found in wiltshire but havnt been recorded there in a long time.

If you are sure they are smooth snakes you should seriously get some photgraphic evidence and report it to any herpetological society, eg the HCT (herpertological conservation trust) as this could be a pretty important if they really are smoothies.

[mikesherps]

i have found the grass snake adder and the smooth snake in suffolk :) first year fild herping and very happy do you have any uk meeting were you all go fild herping if so let me know when i might pop along