Great Grey Slug
From Freepedia
| Great Grey Slug | ||||||||||||||||
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| Limax maximus Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Great Grey Slug (Limax maximus; also known as the Tiger slug or the Spotted leopard slug) is the largest type of keeled slug, noted for its dark-spotted pale-grey body and the short keel on its rear. It can grow to be as long as 20 centimeters and mostly feeds on rotting plant matter and fungi.
The Great Grey Slug is almost always found near human habitation — usually in cellars or in other damp areas. Its mating habits are also considered unusual among slugs — the hermaphrodite slugs court – usually for hours – by circling and licking each other. After this, the slugs will climb into a tree or other high area and then, entwined together, lower themselves on a thick string of mucus and exchange sperm. Both participants will later lay hundreds of eggs.
A Great Grey Slug will live for approximately three years.
See also
References
- The Wildlife Trusts; retrieved March 26, 2005.
- Stuart M. Bennett, 2000; Great Grey Slugs; retrieved March 26, 2005.
