Animal Profiles
Molluscs

Slug

Stylommatophora

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Slugs are snails with reduced or absent external shells. This account describes the leopard slug (Limax maximus), a nocturnal species with dark markings.

Limax maximus, the representative described in this account.

Limax maximus, the representative described in this account.

Michal Maňas · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Leopard slugs are native to Europe and introduced elsewhere, including parts of North America.
Habitat
Towns and cities, Temperate forest
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Plant material forms much of the diet, but other slugs can also be eaten.

Classification

Common name
Slug
Browse group
Molluscs
Scientific name or taxon
Stylommatophora
Taxon rank
order
Order
Stylommatophora
Source classification
Gastropoda

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its shell is reduced and internal.
  • It is mainly active at night.
  • Its diet includes plants and other slugs.

Habitat and range

Leopard slugs are native to Europe and introduced elsewhere, including parts of North America. Gardens, wooded former homesites and damp sheltered places provide habitat.

Appearance and adaptations

Dark spots mark the mantle near the front, while stripes may run along the rear body. A small vestigial shell lies hidden inside the mantle.

Diet and behaviour

Plant material forms much of the diet, but other slugs can also be eaten. Activity is typically nocturnal. During mating, a pair may hang from a suspended strand of mucus.

Sources

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