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The Slug

Slug is a squishy critter you've probably seen slithering around your garden! These soft-bodied molluscs, or gastropods, have no shell unlike their cousins, the snails. They come in all sorts of colors - yellow, gray, black and even translucent white. Variety being the spice in their life, slugs have between 30,000 to 90,000 teeth, situated on a ribbon-like tongue called a radula. Their size can range anywhere from 0.25 inches to almost 10 inches, depending on the species.

Slug
SizeUp to 10 inches (25.4 cm) in length, depending on species
WeightUp to 0.88 ounces (25 grams), depending on species
Speed0.03mph (0.048km/h)
Key StrengthAbility to regenerate lost body parts
Biggest WeaknessSlow movement and lack of protective shell
Scientific NameGastropoda
FamilyGastropod
HabitatDamp environments, often in forests, gardens, and other vegetated areas
GeographyWorldwide, except for extreme cold regions
DietLeaves, fungus, decaying plant material, and other slugs
Lifespan1 year - 9 years

The Slug

Slug is a squishy critter you've probably seen slithering around your garden! These soft-bodied molluscs, or gastropods, have no shell unlike their cousins, the snails. They come in all sorts of colors - yellow, gray, black and even translucent white. Variety being the spice in their life, slugs have between 30,000 to 90,000 teeth, situated on a ribbon-like tongue called a radula. Their size can range anywhere from 0.25 inches to almost 10 inches, depending on the species.

Fun Fact: Here's a slimy secret! When a slug moves, it creates a layer of mucus that acts like a slippery mat for it to glide along.

Slug
SizeUp to 10 inches (25.4 cm) in length, depending on species
WeightUp to 0.88 ounces (25 grams), depending on species
Speed0.03mph (0.048km/h)
Key StrengthAbility to regenerate lost body parts
Biggest WeaknessSlow movement and lack of protective shell
Scientific NameGastropoda
FamilyGastropod
HabitatDamp environments, often in forests, gardens, and other vegetated areas
GeographyWorldwide, except for extreme cold regions
DietLeaves, fungus, decaying plant material, and other slugs
Lifespan1 year - 9 years

Fun Fact: Did you know that a slug holds the power nap record in the animal kingdom? They can sleep for up to three years to avoid unfavorable weather!

Fun Fact: Got salt? A fun yet cruel experiment is throwing salt on a slug, but note that this actually dehydrates and kills them, so it's not very kind!