Robert Valentic / Pink-tailed Worm Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) male from the whipstick mallee habitat near Bendigo in central Victoria, Australia, November. Controlled conditions

Fabio Pupin / Iberian worm lizard, (Blanus cinereus), emerging from sandy soil, Spain, October . Non-ex.

Fabio Pupin / Iberian worm lizard, (Blanus cinereus), Spain, September . Non-ex.

Fabio Pupin / Iberian worm lizard, (Blanus cinereus), close-up of the head, Spain, September . Non-ex.

Fabio Pupin / Italian slow worm, (Anguis veronensis), Italy, June . Non-ex.

Fabio Pupin / Slow worm, (Anguis colchica) Romania, July . Non-ex.

Kerstin Hinze / Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) sensing, flicking its tongue, Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany. August.

Philippe Clement / Close-up of a male Slow worm (Anguis fragilis), smelling with tongue, Luxembourg, April.

Nick Upton / Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) on coastal clifftop grassland. Cornwall, England, UK. May.

Dave Bevan / Pair of Slow worms (Anguis fragilis) exposed when roofing felt is lifted, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK, May.

Nick Upton / Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) on coastal grassland, Cornwall, UK, May.

Nick Upton / Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) sunning on a lichen covered boulder on coastal clifftop grassland, Cornwall, UK, May.