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While driving up the eastern coast of Vancouver Island we came across these interesting slugs.  They were large enough that we noticed them from the car. Unfortunately it is hard to visualize their size through photos .These slugs are much different from the small and slimy garden variety slugs found where I live.   From what I can tell, they are Banana Slugs. Here are a few interesting facts about them:

• These slugs are hermaphroditic organisms, meaning that they contain both male and female reproductive organs.

• The Banana Slug can have up to 27,000 teeth on its long tongue.

• World’s Second Largest Slug

• Covered by a layer of slime that is used as a protective agent by numbing other organisms that pose a threat
• Color is directly affected by nutrition and amount of humidity
• Herbivores that are often considered pests by farmers but prefer to feed on mushrooms and serve as decomposers

Literature cited:  http://www.earlham.edu/~burksje/bananaslug.htm  accessed December 22/09

Enjoy!

Sharon