The word "slow worm" has its origins in Old English:
"Slōh" meaning "slow" or "sluggish"
"Wyrm" meaning "snake" or "serpent"
Meaning:
A slow worm is a small, legless lizard that resembles a snake. It is often confused with snakes due to its long, slender body and lack of visible limbs. However, slow worms are actually lizards and are not venomous.
Origin:
The name "slow worm" is a descriptive term that reflects the animal's slow, deliberate movements and resemblance to a snake. The name has been in use for centuries, with the first recorded instance appearing in the 11th-century work "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle."
Additional Notes:
In some regions, slow worms are also known as "blindworms" due to their small eyes and poor eyesight.
Slow worms are not typically aggressive and are harmless to humans. They feed primarily on insects, slugs, and snails.
Slow worms are protected in many countries due to their declining populations.
