Slow worm

I picked up the paper recycling bin this afternoon to find this slow worm underneath.  Some time during his life he has lost his tail in a clean break.  He seemed quite happy and just slithered into the undergrowth by the gate.  We usually have grass snakes in the compost bin in the summer but nothing found so far this year.

My brother and his son and daughter visited us today and we had a jolly lunch at the local pub.  Their families are camping with others on the coast.

Update:  I have since learnt that slow worms shed their tails when under threat from a predator. 2023.