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Please can you identify |
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seaford
New Member Joined: 15 Aug 2017 Location: seaford Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 9:51pm |
I saw this in the forest near Seaford in East Sussex. I am inclined to think it is a slow worm but it was nearly a metre long and the markings didnt seem quite right. Any thoughts please? |
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Iowarth
Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743 |
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My first reaction was a slow worm but these are seldom more than 18 inches - maximum 21 inches. Unusual bu acceptable markings. Assuming your estimate of length was correct, did you notice if it appeared to have deep longitudinal creases on its flanks? If so then it will be an escapee glass lizard of some sort. Conceivably female sheltopusik and markings could be right for this but the head doesn't look large enough nor does the scalation look prominent enough.
Chris |
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Chris Davis, Site Administrator
Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
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GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
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My bet is male slow worm and a big one! I think allowing for a little overestimate in length and the fact he has what looks like a complete tail that is my likely conclusion.
Edited by GemmaJF - 16 Aug 2017 at 4:15pm |
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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I'd go for an old male slowworm with brown rather than blue spots on its flanks, as they sometimes do. Lucky chap to have lived so long and not lost his tail. But nearly 1m? wow! must have been some beast! If you happen upon it again, try to get a ruler next to it for scale
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seaford
New Member Joined: 15 Aug 2017 Location: seaford Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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seaford
New Member Joined: 15 Aug 2017 Location: seaford Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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This photo was a little closer
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Iowarth
Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743 |
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Definitely Slow Worm - I nice big specimen but I think you must have over-estimated the size - easily done.
Chris |
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Chris Davis, Site Administrator
Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
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seaford
New Member Joined: 15 Aug 2017 Location: seaford Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Thank you to every one much appreciated.
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seaford
New Member Joined: 15 Aug 2017 Location: seaford Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Interestingly I can well accept an over estimate of size but he was certainly longer than 18 inches.
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Iowarth
Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 743 |
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I can well believe it, he's a lovely specimen with an intact tail. I believe the record in the UK is around 21 inches which would be an impressive animal. The biggest I ever recorded was exactly 20", a female, and she was certainly impressive (and she bit me!)
Chris |
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Chris Davis, Site Administrator
Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
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