Wildlife Wednesday 09/18/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! How much do you know about slugs? Let’s learn some interesting facts about them!
Slug bodies are mostly made up of water. Since they lack a protective shell, they must produce mucus to prevent drying out.
Slugs are most active at night and after a rain. This is also related to helping them stay moist.
Slugs communicate and find mates by leaving a “slime trail” of mucus behind them when they travel.
Slugs have two pairs of “feeler” tentacles on their heads. The upper set senses light and has eyespots at the end, while the lower set has receptors providing their sense of smell.
Most slugs eat a variety of organic material, ranging from plants, fruits, flowers, mushrooms, lichens, and detritus. Some slugs are predatory and consume earthworms, snails, and other slugs.
Slugs are preyed upon by a number of animals, including snakes, lizards, birds, foxes, raccoons, frogs, toads, and fish. Slimy yet satisfying!
The most common slugs found in Ohio are the leopard slug, the gray garden slug, and the dusky slug.
To learn even more, be sure to come to our Enchanted Forest event where Slug will be one of the characters on the trail! You might even get to see its slime trail!