Strange thing in compost!

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Sarah
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:13 pm
Location: Cotswolds

I've just opened one of my plastic compost bins on the allotment and found a snake! :shock: The bin hasn't been disturbed since last summer. It was a sort of browny pink colour and very smooth. It moved quite slowly, thankfully, but is still in there somewhere. Does anyone have any idea what it could be, and whether I need to avoid the compost bin for a while? :!: Could it be a slow worm?

Thanks everyone.
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richard p
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it does sound like a slow worm. have you tried goole to look for pics to make sure.
whatever its probably scared of you so if you bang about a bit so it knows youre there it will probably dissapeer.
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Sarah
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Thank you for your prompt reply Richard. Will go and google now.
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Sarah
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Me again!

Have just googled slow worm, and that is definitely it. Apparently they like to live in compost bins for the warmth. Hope it doesn't eat all the worms. I think I will do as you suggest Richard, and bang loudly on the bin before taking any compost out anyway!
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Parsons Jack
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Hi Sarah,

Definitely sounds like a slow worm. Very partial to slugs and snails apparently, so don't frighten it off too far :wink:
http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/slow_worm.htm

Cheers, PJ
Cheers PJ.

I'm just off down the greenhouse. I won't be long...........
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John
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Hello Sarah
Slow worms should be regarded as your friends and are quite harmless. In fact they are lizards and not snakes. They're very good at removing all sorts of pests like slugs. They're quite common in our area and you sometimes come across a nest of them with with perhaps half a dozen very young ones in it.
Look after it!

John
The Gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men’s lives, the hours spent fishing Assyrian tablet
What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning Werner Heisenberg
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Chantal
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Hi Sarah

Having just read that slow worm link you should be on the lookout for a whole family of them. May is breeding time... :wink:
Chantal

I know this corner of the earth, it smiles for me...
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Sarah
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Location: Cotswolds

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm certain now that it is a slow worm, and am actually quite excited. I think I will leave that compost heap alone for now just in case there is a nest, as I wouldn't want to disturb them. It's amazing how close to nature you become on an allotment isn't it?
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Di
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Location: Bristol

Slow worms also like to sleep under sheets of corrugated tin, or stone slabs proped up on a stone or two - both providing storage heaters for them. So if you want to reclaim your compost you could try providing them with such an alternative home nearby.

Envious of you, as though i have a lot of wildlife here, no slow worms as yet.
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