A NATIONAL Trust parkland is pleased to see slow worms are flourishing since their relocation more than years ago.

Ongoing conservation of their habitat hopes to help them thrive at Croome, near Pershore.

Back in 2013, 600 slow worms were moved from a site in Pershore to an area of land within Croome’s 700-acre parkland.  This was considered an ideal relocation spot as it had a similar soil structure and plant species to their previous home with no other existing slow worm populations.

The area also provided a habitat in which they could hunt and hide safe from cats and dogs which often pose a threat to them.

The parkland team have recently made further improvements to these areas by strimming expanses of grass and covering with sections of corrugated iron and roofing felt.

Being cold blooded, slow worms rely on the warmth of the sun so will bask on these and warm up away from the shade of the longer grass and shrubs safe from the risk of predation.

Hibernation sites (Hibernacula) were also created providing areas where they can take shelter in the winter and find safe refuge to hibernate.

Slow worms, which are legless lizards rather than a worm or snake, are relatively common in the United Kingdom and can often be found in compost heaps, enjoying the warmth. They feed on worms, slugs and other invertebrates. The oldest recorded slow worm was a reported 54 years old, but generally they will live about 30 years in the wild and grow up to about 50 cm long.

“The speed with which slow worms (and other reptiles) started using the strimmed  areas demonstrates the importance of basking areas for these cold-blooded animals,” said Craig Welsby, Croome’s assistant ranger. “Anyone with an overgrown bit of garden can provide similar habitat by creating a few areas of shorter vegetation and laying down small corrugated ‘tins’ or pieces of roofing felt. Even if there are no reptiles around, these areas are likely to be used by voles and invertebrates.”

For more information, call 01905 371006 or visit the website at nationaltrust.org.uk/croome