Evidence of natural cannibalism in the slow worm, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata Anguidae)

Abstract

Cannibalistic behavior in the slow worm, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata An-guidae), has only been documented in a few cases. The oldest report dates back more than a century, but all detailed observations available to us refer to cases under captive conditions. Herein we report about a natural case of cannibalism in the slow worm from Germany. An adult individual was observed regurgitating a previously ingested juvenile headfirst in cultural landscape east of Cologne.