Evil slugs
I’m rather fond of wildlife in general but my least favourite critters on Gabriola have to be the monster slugs. Like these two, photographed in the very act of sneaking up on my boot for some unknown but possibly nefarious purpose.
I didn’t clue in until today that the black slug (also apparently known as the chocolate slug or licorice slug, probably not an image that chocolate and licorice manufacturers want to promote) is not native to British Columbia. It is an invasive species and there is concern that it can damage Garry Oak ecosystems.
The Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team has lots more information about this slug. (pdf)
Filed in environment,Gabriola Island 5 Comments so far
5 Responses to “Evil slugs”
Michael Mehta on 12 Mar 2010 at 8:38 pm #
Don’t hate these creatures. They might have several useful functions – even if they’re an invasive species. Studies have been done on the uptake of iron, lead, manganese, cadmium and other metals, and how they accumulate in their digestive glands. These little things might be useful as indicators of environmental contamination, and they thrive on Gabriola probably because our natural environment is relatively pristine.
susan on 12 Mar 2010 at 10:27 pm #
I can relate to all God’s creatures and all that but there really is something disgusting about reaching out for a porch rail in the dark only to find you’ve grabbed a banana slug.
cheryl on 12 Mar 2010 at 11:42 pm #
Yah! or how about that crop of lettuce or the tender new shoots of the bean plants striped due to those slimy creatures. There is nothing more disappointing to gardener than when you go out to your garden in the morning and find all your new shoots devoured by slugs. Might… be useful, huh could have fooled me!
Joan on 13 Mar 2010 at 2:54 pm #
When my children were very small and we lived in northern Canada we visited Vancouver. We walked through Stanley Park to the aquarium, revving up the kids on the excitement of seeing fish, seals, whales, etc. My 3-year old daughter fell in love with slugs on the path through the forest – by the time we got to the aquarium her hands and arms were covered in sticky, impossible-to-wash-off slug slime, and she really, really wanted to take one home with her. Nothing at the Vancouver Aquarium even came close. So, it is all about perceptions.
cheryl on 15 Mar 2010 at 8:16 am #
Joan – That is so cute!