Anguis fragilis
![](/Images/godic/202412/21/Anguidae1143.jpg")
![Close-up of the head of a slow worm.](/Images/godic/202412/21/20130505-slow_worms-014-wiki©CD1143.jpg")
![A slow worm moving through grass](/Images/godic/202412/21/-Slow_worm_in_grass.ogg1143.jpg")
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The Anguis fragilis, or slow worm, is a limbless lizard native to Eurasia. It is sometimes called a blindworm. Its German name, "Blindschleiche," is derived from the Old High German plintslîcho meaning "blinding creeper", perhaps because of its lustrous scales.