Black Slug
Scientific Name: Arion ater
Order & Family: Stylommatophora: Arionidae
Size: 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) when extended
Natural Habitat
Gardens, woodlands, and damp grasslands
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous, feeding on living and decaying plant matter, fungi, and carrion
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and most active in wet conditions; it can contract into a humped shape as a defensive posture
Risks & Benefits
General garden pest that damages crops; provides ecosystem benefit by breaking down organic matter
Identified on: 3/5/2026