
Community identification
Dusky Slug
Arion subfuscus
- Order & Family
- Order Stylommatophora, Family Arionidae
- Size
- 50mm to 70mm when fully extended
Natural Habitat
Found in forests, woodlands, gardens, and meadows in damp areas under logs, rocks, and leaf litter.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous, feeding on fungi, decaying organic matter, lichen, and fresh plant material.
Behavior Patterns
Primarily nocturnal and most active in damp conditions. They produce a sticky yellow-orange mucus as a defense mechanism and are hermaphroditic.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter; however, it can be a minor garden pest and may carry parasites like the rat lungworm if ingested.