Zurich wants to learn more about slow worms

The urban habitat of the slow worm is shrinking, yet little is known about its exact distribution.

Zurich is therefore calling on residents to report sightings of the reptiles to the wildlife observation reporting platform.

The observations will be incorporated into the new edition of the Zurich animal encyclopaedia Stadtfauna.

The slow worm is probably the most well-known reptile species in Switzerland. However, little is known about its current distribution, and comprehensive records are lacking even within the city of Zurich. The urban population of Zurich is therefore being encouraged to report their sightings. Autumn is a great time to spot this nimble reptile while working in the garden.

Slow worms are still widespread throughout Switzerland. However, the habitat of this species is also shrinking, as more and more land is built on and sealed over. If we want to support this native reptile species, knowledge of its exact distribution is essential. There are, however, considerable gaps in this knowledge, including within the city of Zurich. The wildlife observation reporting platform zuerich.stadtwildtiere.ch  is therefore calling on the residents of Zurich to report slow worm sightings. Slow worms love compost heaps

The slow worm is highly adaptable and can be found in many different places. In residential areas, these are primarily gardens and slightly damp spots such as compost or leaf piles. It also likes to shelter under stone slabs or boards, or along herbaceous or rough grass margins, where it hunts small slugs and earthworms. Although the slow worm lives a rather secretive life, it does venture out from time to time to bask in the sun. It is most easily spotted in the garden when turning over the compost heap, where it is often mistaken for a snake. However, slow worms belong to the lizard family and, unlike snakes, they have eyelids. Leave as much as possible standing and lying around in the garden

Slow worms benefit especially from gardens maintained in a nature-friendly way, offering plenty of hiding spots and an abundant food supply. Now in autumn, it is best to leave fallen leaves on the ground, let grass and perennials stand, or even create a pile of gathered stones — something other wildlife species appreciate as well. In quiet corners, slow worms find suitable winter quarters in old mouse tunnels. Like all reptiles, slow worms enter a state of winter dormancy from October through March.One of 600 animal species in Zurich

The book “Stadtfauna” describes 600 animal species found in Zurich, including the slow worm. This standard reference work is being released in a new edition in 2022 with updated distribution maps. For this reason, all observations — ideally with a photo — are of great interest on the reporting platform zuerich.stadtwildtiere.ch.