Nineteen Slow Worms Rescued from Underground Chamber in Southern Poland

Wildlife rescuers from the Leśne Pogotowie rehabilitation centre in southern Poland have retrieved 19 slow worms trapped inside an underground water meter chamber. The intervention was initiated after emergency services received a report stating that venomous vipers were sheltering inside the concrete space.

Upon arrival, specialists confirmed that the animals were legless lizards rather than snakes. The smooth, vertical concrete walls of the underground enclosure allowed the slow worms to drop into the space easily, but prevented them from climbing out. The cool, damp subterranean conditions had sheltered the creatures from freezing external temperatures while preserving their state of winter torpor.

Slow worms are non-venomous reptiles that feed on snails, earthworms, and other small invertebrates, making them harmless to humans. Poland is host to two native species: the common slow worm and the eastern slow worm, the latter being predominantly found in the country's south-eastern region. While both species share similar features, they differ in scale structure and arrangement, and male eastern slow worms often feature blue spots on their backs.

Because the slow worms were already in hibernation, rescuers determined that releasing them directly into the environment during cold weather would leave them without sufficient time to locate new shelter. The 19 individuals were subsequently transported to the Leśne Pogotowie shelter facility to spend the winter months.

At the rehabilitation shelter, keepers maintain a stable, low temperature to prevent the reptiles from waking prematurely. The slow worms will remain in care throughout the winter season and are scheduled for release back into the wild in spring when ambient temperatures rise.

Written by Christiane Hofreiter christiane.hofreiter@alpineweekly.com