
Community identification
Slug (remains)
Arionidae or Limacidae family
- Order & Family
- Order: Stylommatophora; Family: Various (e.g., Arionidae, Limacidae)
- Size
- Species dependent, typically 1 to 15 cm in length when alive and extended
Natural Habitat
Damp, shaded areas, gardens, under rocks, logs, and leaf litter
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous or Detritivorous; they feed on various living and decaying plant matter, fungi, and sometimes animal carcasses
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and moisture-dependent; they move via muscular contractions of their foot and leave a protective slime trail
Risks & Benefits
They are gardeners' pests that consume crops; however, they benefit the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter. They can occasionally carry parasites like rat lungworm if ingested.