Slug

Scientific Name: Class Gastropoda (various species)

Order & Family: Order Stylommatophora; Families vary by species (e.g., Agriolimacidae, Limacidae)

Size: Typically 1 cm to 15 cm (0.4 to 6 inches), though some species vary greatly.

Slug

Natural Habitat

Gardens, damp woodlands, under rocks, and in leaf litter; they require moist environments to prevent desiccation.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous or detritivorous, feeding on plant leaves, fruits, fungi, and decaying organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal animals that move by muscular contractions of their foot, secreting a mucus trail to aid movement and maintain moisture.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Breakdown of organic matter and nutrient cycling. Risks: Major garden pests that consume crops; some species can carry parasites like rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis).

Identified on: 3/24/2026