Slug (possibly Leopard Slug or common garden slug)
Scientific Name: Varies (e.g., Limax maximus for Leopard Slug, Arion or Deroceras species for common garden slugs)
Order & Family: Stylommatophora (Order), Limacidae or Arionidae (Family)
Size: 2-20 cm (0.8-8 inches) depending on the species; common garden slugs are typically smaller (2-5 cm), while Leopard Slugs can be much larger.
Natural Habitat
Moist, shaded environments, gardens, under logs, rocks, leaf litter, and in damp basements or cellars. Often found in cultivated areas.
Diet & Feeding
Opportunistic omnivores, primarily feeding on decaying plant material, fungi, fruits, vegetables, young seedlings, other slugs, and even animal droppings. Some species are predatory (e.g., Leopard Slug).
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, most active during damp conditions or after rain. They move by gliding on a layer of mucus. They are hermaphroditic and cross-fertilize. They lay clutches of spherical, pearl-like eggs in moist soil or under debris.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can be significant pests in gardens, consuming young plants, fruits, and vegetables. Some species can transmit parasites (e.g., rat lungworm) to humans or animals through contaminated produce or water if ingested. Benefits: Decomposers, helping to recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter. Predatory slugs (like the Leopard Slug) can help control populations of other pest slugs.
Identified on: 9/20/2025