This male Slow-worm Anguis fragilis, a legless lizard, experienced a narrow escape as he was perilously close to being trodden on by the photographer. He was motionless on a shaded woodland path in Surrey, and therefore difficult to spot. Slow-worms feed on slugs, worms, and other invertebrates, so if a slow approach is made then filming and photographing them is possible. Had this one been spooked, he would undoubtedly have moved away a great deal faster than he did. Males sometimes develop blue spots as they mature, and there are indeed scattered blue scales visible, particularly in the still photographs. Their heads are slightly broader than those of the females, and they are often paler than this individual, with fewer (or no) dark spots and a sandy appearance. They also lack the dorsal black line seen in adult females and juveniles. At some point this male had autotomised part of his tail as it had clearly regrown from the stump. This very useful device will enable a Slow-worm to deflect the attention of a predator as the shed part of the tail will continue to wriggle. So, if the reptile stays still and the tail moves then it should have a better chance of survival. These creatures are long-lived, and a record of over 50 years has been recorded for one in captivity. Most won't survive to anything like this age, but the male in this film was certainly at least several years old.