Slug for I.D. + question

2dogs2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 08:07 PM

Saw this slug on my shed wall last night. Can anyone identify it for me please?

Secondly is that slug poo? If so, where does it exit the body? The photos suggest it exits the body near the head. Never been interested before as it is not my kind of thing, but when I saw the photos I had to ask.

Gracie · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 08:16 PM

It looks like a Leopard Slug, in fact I am sure it is, as for the pooh, not sure about that, it's not something that comes up in conversation really, slug pooh, perhaps it should, would be quite interesting.

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 08:24 PM

Definately Limax sp. I would assume it is L.maximus dont think there are confusion species here.

2dogs2000 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie

as for the pooh, not sure about that, it's not something that comes up in conversation really, slug pooh, perhaps it should, would be quite interesting.

I know what you mean. It is not something I would normally ask but the photos made me curious.

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 08:46 PM

They have an anal opening like most other animals. I believe its at its rear although carnt say I have ever looked (or really studied slugs). It is slug droppings in the photo too.

2dogs2000 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 08:48 PM

Thank you dogghound + Gracie for your replies.

Jason Green · #7 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 09:05 PM

Evening Tuppence,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

They have an anal opening like most other animals. I believe its at its rear although carnt say I have ever looked (or really studied slugs). It is slug droppings in the photo too.

Two reasons why I didn't post initially - one; I can't remember the name of a very similar one to maximus (but is rare-ish), and two; I couldn't remember the location of the anus!

A bit of research later, on Snails it's behind the pneumostome - the air hole in the direction of the tail - and on Slugs it's under the tail, near the tip.

Take care,

Jason

2dogs2000 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 09:10 PM

Thank you Jason.

serendipity · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 10:07 PM

Hmmmm! our Jason sure knows his dung buttons! (joke)

Gracie · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010, 11:40 AM

Well I am glad we have sorted that out, and of course I suppose what goes in must come out - somewhere - when you consider how much of our garden plants they move in a year! At least we now know they are fertilising as they go!