Eastern Slowworm

Eastern slow worms live primarily in areas with partially closed, forest or shrub vegetation. They can be found most often on the edges of forests, forest clearings, and sometimes on tourist trails, where they can lie down to bask in the sun. They utilise stone piles, stone fences, coarse woody debris, and even the burrows of some rodents as hiding places. They commonly venture into gardens close to their habitat.

Eastern slow worms are mostly crepuscular animals, but are sometimes found to be active during the daytime, especially after rain. Their diet consists of small, slow moving invertebrates such as earthworms, slugs and insect larvae. The mating season of the species is usually between the end of April, and the beginning of June. Slow worms hibernate during the winter, starting from mid-October. During this time, they settle under logs, roots, in rock crevices or in rodent passages.