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365 Urban Species. #230: Leopard Slug

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Urban species #230: Leopard Slug Limax maximus
It's no banana slug, but the leopard slug is an impressive animal nonetheless. Stretching out thin to nearly six inches long, it is easily the largest terrestrial mollusk found in eastern North America. It's bold patterns and large size make it a striking and beautiful creature even, one is hopeful, to those who generally dislike invertebrates. Leopard slugs are common in yards and gardens in the city, but rare even a short distance into the suburbs. This seems counterintuitive, but the leopard slug is an introduced species, familiar to Europeans as the spotted garden slug. Apparently it has adapted well to living alongside humans and their buildings, but for some reason can not thrive in the American countryside.
Leopard slugs feed at night, on a variety of different substances. They consume fungi, as well as decomposing and living plants. Gardeners who are bothered by slugs should be happy that the leopard slug preys on other slugs. They also will eat pet food left outside, and will feed on animal droppings and carrion. Their omnivorous habits have probably helped suit them to an urban existence. Besides Europe and North America, they are found throughout urban Australia and South Africa. Like European woodlice, they have been brought anywhere European soil has been brought.
They are hermaphrodites, and two individuals fertilize one another in a mating pendulum, entwirled about one another in a slimy embrace. Unfortunately this ritual occurs in the wee hours of the night, and few observers get the privilege of witnessing it.
Those interested in the singular and fascinating mating habits of Limax maximus are encouraged to follow this link.
This image of leopard slugs mating comes from the good people at www.whatsthatbug.com.

In case it comes up again, American paper currency is exactly 6 inches long (15.24 cm).

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The first episode of David Attenborough's awesome series LIFE IN THE UNDERGROWTH has some phenomenal footage of mating Leopard Slugs, particularly of the beautiful, bioluminescent structure formed by their entwining penises...
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No worries! Attenborough rocks. His latest one, the 16-part PLANET EARTH, is airing now, and he's working on another one, LIFE IN COLD BLOOD, about Reptiles...
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Just FYI.
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It is always nice to see that other people are interested in slugs and snails (and by the way, if you know your nursery rhymes you will see where my username comes from). Some people might think they are horrible and slimy, but I think they are beautiful creatures. You should see some of the other European species of Limax - amazing! I will check with a colleague and see if I can post some photos.
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(Anonymous) 2006-09-06 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)no subject
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Nice pictures; that's a particularly handsome and large specimen.
Oddity in NW Ohio
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(Anonymous) 2008-07-06 07:05 am (UTC)(link)no subject
(Anonymous) 2009-07-29 04:21 am (UTC)(link)no subject
(Anonymous) 2009-08-16 02:05 am (UTC)(link)no subject
North London Blocked Drain (http://www.blockeddrain.org.uk/regionals/north-london.html)
leapord slug in Maine
(Anonymous) 2011-08-11 04:06 am (UTC)(link)no subject
They're here in South-Central Illinois!
I started photographing them last year and likely caught two of them in a romantic pursuit though I haven't seen a mating couple yet. This year, I've been taking many photographs. I have them in their own folder in my gallery at Deviant Art. (Don't worry about the title; not that many of the artists display "unseemly" works. Most of us post images of cats and other pets, as well as landscapes, gardens and more, plus various artworks.)
I don't know how to include images here or I would share some of the pictures with you. Some of our slugs are closing in on 8 inches, but 6 inches is about the average.
I was searching for more information about them and ended up here. At first, my mother hated them, but she's becoming interested in them, too. She lets me know when I can leave the cat food dishes out for the slugs to finish. Don't worry: We wash the dishes or, if they're especially slimy, toss them, as they are former frozen dinner plates.