Meet the Animals

Pacific banana slug
Ariolimax spp.

Slugs are common in the damp forests of the Pacific northwest. But the "giant land slug", known as the banana slug because of its bright yellow color, is by far the best known. There are a few different species of Ariolimax, all closely related. Ariolimax columbianus is the most widespread, and usually less brightly colored, ranging from yellow to greenish-yellow with dark spots. Ariolimax californicus is the bright butter yellow that we associate with these slugs, and primarily found along the central coast of California. Ariolimax slugs really are "giants", and can grow up to ten inches long.

"Limax" means slime, and these slugs are covered in it. The slime is essential to their health, since it keeps them moist, and also acts as a form of chemical communication. The chemical "scent" allows the slug to retrace its path and find shelter, or signal when it is ready to mate. These slugs have two sets of tentacles, the larger ones being eye stalks and the second smaller set used to sense smell. The body of the slug has a muscular "foot" beneath, with which it pulls itself along its slimy trail. Slugs prefer to roam at night, when there is less danger of drying out. If they feel they are in danger of desiccation, the slug will cover itself with slime and dirt, and then estivate (become entirely inactive).

Banana slugs have unusual mating habits. For one thing, they are hermaphroditic, which means they have both male and female organs. They can fertilize themselves and produce eggs without a mate. However, they are more likely to spawn with a mate, signalling their readiness by a change in the scent of their slime. The mates will eat each other's slime, and then exchange sperm, which they use to fertilize their own eggs. The slug may carry the sperm inside and use it to fertilize eggs for some time.

Photo © Corel Corp.

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