Return of the Banana Slug!

[woodsorrel]

Hi Everyone!

So it rained in Northern California. Not much. But we have been in a terrible drought for 3 years and the forecast is for more dry weather. So any amount of rain is welcome.

These rains have brought back the Banana Slugs! I am greatly enjoying their recent reappearance. I hope we get enough rain to keep them around. They are bizarre and amazing creatures. The Banana Slug is the world's second largest slug, growing up to 10 inches long (25.4 cm).

Here is a link to some Slug ecology and my first-hand experience observing them.


The Rain Brings Old Friends


Their striking yellow color is both camouflage and a warning (aposematic).

The (ahem) "romantic life" of a Banana Slug is just as strange and bizarre as the creature itself. I discuss it in the write-up and if you are male you will probably wince more than once. Note that I do use a scientific term to describe male anatomy. This shouldn't bother a mature adult but I thought I would mention it so you are not surprised.

These creatures are highly charismatic! You wouldn't think a slug could stir such passion. But there are fan clubs and sports teams named after it.

Are there examples in the UK of an unlikely animal that stirs up such excitement?

Regards,

- Woodsorrel

 

[mousey]

I found that fascinating thanks for posting that.

I found the racoon dealing with the slime very interesting.

 

[Toddy]

It really is banana yellow

We get huge leopard slugs in the garden, and big snails.

Don't think anyone's a fan apart from one lady I met who was doing her dissertation on slugs...she was intending to be a specialist in invertebrates and gastropods in specific.

 

[mousey]

I can't remember where or why but I saw a study on snails to see if they have homing instincts and territories, as part of the study they attached coloured LED's to the shells and videoed them, that made really interesting viewing when played back quickly. Reminded me of an animated film called turbo.

 

[woodsorrel]

It really is banana yellow

We get huge leopard slugs in the garden, and big snails.

Don't think anyone's a fan apart from one lady I met who was doing her dissertation on slugs...she was intending to be a specialist in invertebrates and gastropods in specific.

Hi Toddy!

They may be commonplace to you, but I have never seen a leopard slug. Do you have any pictures? (or a link?)

Thanks,

- Woodsorrel

 

[woodsorrel]

I can't remember where or why but I saw a study on snails to see if they have homing instincts and territories, as part of the study they attached coloured LED's to the shells and videoed them, that made really interesting viewing when played back quickly. Reminded me of an animated film called turbo.

That sounds really cool, mousey! I have always wondered how far they travel while foraging.

I vaguely recall a Gary Larson cartoon where two snails are riding a tortoise and one yells to the other something like, "Yipeee!!!!"

- Woodsorrel

 

[Harvestman]

Well I'm a slug fan. I may have a leopard slug shot somewhere that I will put up if I can find it.

 

[Harvestman]

Here you go. Limax maximus, the Leopard slug, largest UK species.

 

[woodsorrel]

Here you go. Limax maximus, the Leopard slug, largest UK species...

Wow, what a great looking slug! (Now that's a sentence you don't hear everyday...)

Thanks, Harvestman!

- Woodsorrel

 

[Clouston98]

Some funky looking slugs in this thread! The first one is really yellow, the leopard one is quite funny because it looks like a leopard just a tad slower .

 

[andybysea]

For something perceived as slow they can be quite fast, a friend and i were at the end on the West highland way last year,our first train out of Fort William was 7 am ish the next morn, so being as it was 10pm we decided to sleep at the end of the trail. We got a brew on the go and a couple of boil in the bag meals,on opening the pouch on mine I spilt some on the floor,before I could even finish the pouch there was about 5 slugs around the bit spilt they just seemed to have come out of nowhere.

 

[Tengu]

Leopard slugs have quite the most exciting love life of any animal.

(with the probable exception of those swallows who do it in flight.)

 

[Shewie]

We saw some belters on Mears Island in Canada

 

[woodsorrel]

We saw some belters on Mears Island in Canada

Shewie, is that the island off Vancouver Island not named for Ray Mears but featured in his series, Northern Wilderness?

If so, I wonder how the slugs survive the harsh winters? The slugs around me can hibernate, but I don't think it ever gets cold enough for them to do so.

I am getting ready to read Marchand's book, Life in the Cold. Maybe it will explain how they do it.

- Woodsorrel

 

[Shewie]

Shewie, is that the island off Vancouver Island not named for Ray Mears but featured in his series, Northern Wilderness?

If so, I wonder how the slugs survive the harsh winters? The slugs around me can hibernate, but I don't think it ever gets cold enough for them to do so.

I am getting ready to read Marchand's book, Life in the Cold. Maybe it will explain how they do it.

- Woodsorrel

Yeah that's the one A magical place if you ever get chance to get over that way

I don't think they have much of a winter in Tofino, certainly not compared to a lot of Canada, not sure if it's Gulf Stream or not

 

[woodsorrel]

Yeah that's the one A magical place if you ever get chance to get over that way

I don't think they have much of a winter in Tofino, certainly not compared to a lot of Canada, not sure if it's Gulf Stream or not...

Shewie, those are amazing pictures. Thanks for posting them!

It certainly looks like you had a great time. I like that you captured a cedar bag and a dry-bag in the same shot. Two technologies separated by several hundred years!

Did you notice that your picture of a black bear looks just like a perfect Zuni Bear?

I have not visited Tofino, but many years ago I spent several weeks sea kayaking further north to observe Orca. Perhaps I should make an effort to visit Tofino, because it sure looks like you had a fun time.

- Woodsorrel

 

[Clouston98]

Cracking photos Rich!

 

[squishy]

That banana slug does look cool! I quite like seeing slugs and snails about. I find them oddly "cute", especially snails when you pick them up and they gradually get used to you and poke their little eyes on stalks out

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[Harvestman]

That banana slug does look cool! I quite like seeing slugs and snails about. I find them oddly "cute", especially snails when you pick them up and they gradually get used to you and poke their little eyes on stalks out

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Banana slug pendant necklace in gold? Next project maybe?

 

[squishy]

Banana slug pendant necklace in gold? Next project maybe?

Haha, now there's an idea!

Not forgotten about the spider btw.. I have a design in mind, waiting on some replacement drill bits as I broke the last of mine the other day

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