Slow Worms

[Fighterfish]

Hi,
Is it true that you can keep slow worms as pets? If so, does anyone know where i can get them from.
Thanks

 

[moray]

I only know about the uk, slow worms are protected and it is illegal to sell these rather fascinating lizards.

 

[grahamsokel]

There is some species of slow worms that you can keep as pets,sorry i cant tell you what species they are though
I know my local reptile shop has some in

 

[Themuleous]

Hi you've stumbled into my line of work!

Slow worms (like all British reptiles) are protected from intentional killing and injury under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Its also an offence to sell, transported for the purpose of selling or advertise for the purpose of trading any live, dead, part, or derivative of, slow-worms.

So you can keep them just be careful! If you are unfortunate enough to kill one there is a (up to) £5000 per animal.

Sam

PS smooth snake and sand lizard are fully protected, making it offence to even pick them up without a license from English Nature.

 

[moray]

very interesting Themuleous, what's your line of work?

 

[Themuleous]

Im an ecologist, get paid to go out and look for all things natural! Its a great job, even if I do say so myself! Im lucky I guess, have a job I love doing.

Sam

 

[Saedcantas]

Not sure of the details but I'm fairly certain you can keep captive bred slow worms imported from Europe, hence the ones on sale here in the UK

 

[moray]

Im an ecologist, get paid to go out and look for all things natural! Its a great job, even if I do say so myself! Im lucky I guess, have a job I love doing.

Sam

Lucky you, sounds great; I'm quite jealous.