Slug

Natural Habitat

Moist, dark environments; gardens, forests, under rocks, logs, or leaf litter. They are often found in damp places to prevent desiccation.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous or omnivorous; feed on a variety of plant material including leaves, fruits, fungi, seedlings, and decaying organic matter. Some species may also consume small insects or earthworms.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, active during damp conditions. They move by secreting a layer of mucus and contracting muscles. They are hermaphroditic, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can be significant garden pests, causing damage to cultivated plants, vegetables, and flowers. They can also carry parasites that may affect humans or pets (e.g., lungworm in dogs via rat lungworm). Benefits: Contribute to decomposition by breaking down organic matter and can be a food source for other animals like birds, hedgehogs, and some insects.

Identified on: 11/21/2025