Although slow worms, like snakes, are often feared and persecuted, they should be welcome visitors to gardens as they feed largely on slugs, snails and other slow-moving garden pests (5). The Latin name Anguis fragilis means 'fragile snake' (2), and refers to the ability of this lizard to shed its tail when seized; the tail may continue to wriggle after being shed, and can distract predators while the slow worm escapes (5). A new tail begins to regenerate after a couple of weeks (2). Although this species is widespread, it is rather secretive, and is consequently Britain's least understood reptile (2). Slow worms emerge from hibernation in March, and courtship tends to take place between mid-May and late June; at this time males become aggressive towards each other (2). During courtship, a male takes hold of a female by biting her head or neck, and they intertwine their bodies. Courtship may last for as long as 10 hours before copulation occurs (2). Most females tend to mate once every two years in Britain; an average of 8 live young are usually born from mid-August to mid-September. The young slow worms are initially encased in the egg membrane, they measure from 70-100 mm in length, and will be fully grown after 6-8 years, becoming sexually mature by 3 or 4 years in males and 4 or 5 years in females (2). This species is relatively long-lived; one specimen lived for 54 years (5). The skin is shed at intervals throughout the life span (2).