Community identification
Slug
Order Stylommatophora (General Slug)
- Order & Family
- Order Stylommatophora; Families vary (e.g., Agriolimacidae, Limacidae)
- Size
- Typically 1 cm to 15 cm depending on the species.
Natural Habitat
Damp, moist environments such as gardens, under logs, leaf litter, and basements.
Diet & Feeding
Mostly herbivorous, feeding on leaves, stems, flowers, and decaying organic matter; some are omnivorous.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and moisture-dependent; they move via a muscular foot and leave a characteristic slime trail. They are hermaphroditic.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: Essential decomposers in many ecosystems. Risks: Pests to gardens and agriculture; some species can carry parasites like the rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) if ingested by humans or pets.