are these slugs mating???

[the naturelover]

Can anyone explain what is going on here please?? I thought that these two were mating. However when i returned a little later i found one of the slugs about a foot away but not the other or the sherical "slimy" ball even though i had a real good look around. Also a name for the species would be great. regards tn

[2dogs2000]

I believe they are the brown form of Arion ater and I think you could be correct about them mating but not sure.

[pressld2]

I agree with 2dogs2000, they are Arion ater and they are mating. Great shot!

Dave P.

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by the naturelover

Can anyone explain what is going on here please?? I thought that these two were mating. However when i returned a little later i found one of the slugs about a foot away but not the other or the sherical "slimy" ball even though i had a real good look around. Also a name for the species would be great. regards tn

Not sure if I have read this right but were you looking for "the spherical slimy ball" because if you were you won't find it because that is the sex organ which would now have been retracted.

[pressld2]

Slugs are hermaphrodites and each will have impregnated the other. The blue ball is their intertwined penises which, exactly as 2dogs says, will now be back inside each slug.

Isn't nature wonderful?

Dave P.

P.s. There is a fabulous video of leopard slugs mating, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, at http://vodpod.com/watch/1538433-davi...h-slugs-mating

[the naturelover]

Many thanks to you all for the valuable information. as a gardener i am used to finding loads of tiny white eggs from slugs in the ground. i thought that the shere was a large egg sack containing hundreds of these. Just shows what i know eh!! Now i do!