Limax maximus
Shetland Biological Records Centre
Limax maximus
Shetland Biological Records Centre
Leopard Slugs were
introduced
to America, but are now common. They grow to four inches.
They are usually grayish yellow with black spots or bands.
Often they are wrinkled. Leopard Slugs have four
tentacles
on their head; two long ones and two short ones. Leopard Slugs live in
fields, woods, and gardens. They prefer damp, shady places.
In daylight, you can find them under rocks, logs, and
similar places. These slugs are mostly
nocturnal,
but will sometimes come out on rainy days. Naturhistoriska
museet Courtesty of the Royal
British Columbia Museum, Photographer: Philip
Lambert Copyright, Wolfgang
Fischer Leopard Slugs have
interesting mating habits. First, they will circle each
other, before intertwining their bodies. They do this from a
tree branch or near an edge. Next, the two slugs will fall
from the branch and hang, suspended by mucus slime. After
mating, since slugs are hermaphroditic,
both slugs will be able to lay eggs. Leopard Slug eggs are
clear and laid in groups of over 100. New slugs will hatch
the following Spring. Leopard Slugs typically live up to
three years. As these slugs hunt at
night, they glide on a cushion of mucus slime. This slime
leaves a trail, which slugs will use to return to the same
feeding spot the next night.
Leopard Slugs eat leaves, flowers, and fruits of plants. They will also eat mushrooms, carrion (dead animals), and will regularly hunt other slugs.
Leopard Slugs have many predators, including: toads, turtles, beetles, birds, flies, and fireflies.
Relationships in Nature:
White-tailed
Deer (see Brainworm
Nematode)
Relationship to Humans:
Leopard Slugs are considered great pests by most people. They can do great damage in gardens when there are many of them. However, they also eat some plants which we consider weeds.