Question about mating slugs... lol

[HAJiME]

Found two large orange slugs today. I think they were mating. Curled around a white object?

What IS the white object? Is it a part of their ...genitalia, or is it an egg sack type thing? And will they leave their eggs there, or carry them with?

So yeah, generally, anyone know how slugs reproduce? Lol.

I poked them, because I'm evil, and they didn't curl up like slugs usually do. They completely ignored me. So like a small child I gave up poking them. And left them be, resisting the urge to go get salt.

[Dan.J]

The white blob is probably a male organ or at least something that came from the male.. although to be honest i know nothing about slugs!

[Wild-Woman]

I'm sure Words won't mind me borrowing his excellent picture of slugs mating. Did yours look like the shot below?


All rather elaborate isn't it!!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Dan.J

The white blob is probably a male organ or at least something that came from the male.. although to be honest i know nothing about slugs!

Most slugs + snails are hermaphrodite, so have male + female organs, but still require a mate for reproduction. a chalky love dart is inserted through the body (possibly what you saw?). The opaque eggs are laid in soil or under stones/wood, etc.

Certainly we've been having perfect weather for them- warm + wet!

[HAJiME]

This is exacly what I saw.



It was under a log. I sort of expected to return and find some sort of egg sack, but I guess one of them lays that elsewhere...?

So the solid blob is their genitals intertwined, then?