Please can you identify
Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: General
Forum Name: Reporting
Forum Description: Report garden sightings and field days
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5172
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 9:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Please can you identify
Posted By: seaford
Subject: Please can you identify
Date 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? |
Replies:
Posted By: Iowarth
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 10:47pm
|
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 ------------- Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
Posted By: GemmaJF
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 11:51am
| 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. |
Posted By: will
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 4:02pm
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
|
Posted By: seaford
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 8:52pm
|
Posted By: seaford
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 8:53pm
|
This photo was a little closer |
Posted By: Iowarth
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 9:03pm
|
Definitely Slow Worm - I nice big specimen but I think you must have over-estimated the size - easily done. Chris ------------- Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
Posted By: seaford
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 9:05pm
|
Thank you to every one much appreciated. |
Posted By: seaford
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 9:07pm
|
Interestingly I can well accept an over estimate of size but he was certainly longer than 18 inches. |
Posted By: Iowarth
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2017 at 10:12pm
|
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 ------------- Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED) |
Posted By: AGILIS
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2017 at 7:39am
|
Took the words out my mouth could be a glass snake if near a metre long but it looks like a spotty slowie to me perhaps some exaggeration in its length if reported by a amateur not used to snake and reptile sighting ?? Keith ------------- LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID |
Posted By: GemmaJF
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2017 at 12:31pm
|
We had a thread way back in 2008 on the largest slow worms http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/largest-ever-slowworm_topic2500.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/largest-ever-slowworm_topic2500.html Just re-reading I noted Steve had a whopper from Hindhead Common in Surrey, this is where I've seen some huge specimens too. Interestingly as well I notice a different look to the head on some of the largest males. I wondered if it is a sign of extreme age. Regarding estimating length nearly everyone tends to be a bit over, it is only when you know that people do it, then you tend to be conservative and probably underestimate a bit.  Looking at the thread I think Seaford has a new contender for largest slow worm there!
|