Slug

Scientific Name: Order Stylommatophora (various species)

Order & Family: Order Stylommatophora; Families vary (e.g., Limacidae, Arionidae)

Size: 1 cm to 30 cm depending on species

Slug

Natural Habitat

Damp environments, including gardens, forests, under rocks, and leaf litter where moisture is high.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous or detritivorous, feeding on fungi, decaying organic matter, and various plant parts.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal or active during damp conditions; they move via muscular contractions of a fleshy 'foot' and leave a mucus trail to prevent desiccation.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter; however, they are often considered garden pests for eating crops and can act as intermediate hosts for certain parasites if ingested by pets.

Identified on: 3/13/2026