Black Slug
Arion ater · Mollusk, Invertebrate, Cold-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Arionidae, order Stylommatophora, class Gastropoda
Animal Category
Reptile/Amphibian/Invertebrate
Breed / Variety
European Black Slug
Conservation Status
Least Concern, with a stable and widespread population trend.
About This Creature
A soft-bodied, elongated gastropod with no external shell, typically measuring between 10 to 15 centimeters in length. It features a uniform dark black, glistening, slimy skin texture.
Physical Characteristics
Viscous mucous coating for locomotion and protection, prominent tentacles on the head containing eyes and sensory organs, muscular foot for gliding over surfaces.
Behavior & Temperament
Solitary and nocturnal or active during damp, overcast weather. Moves slowly by gliding on a trail of mucus. Defensive behavior includes curling into a tight ball and rocking from side to side.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Native to Europe, widely introduced to other temperate regions globally including North America and Australia.
Habitat
Damp woodland, gardens, fields, and wetlands. Terrestrial.
Diet & Nutrition
Detritivore and herbivore, feeding on decaying organic matter, fungi, algae, leaves, and occasionally carrion.
Lifespan & Health
Typically lives for about 1 year, completing its life cycle after reproduction in autumn. Preyed upon by birds, amphibians, hedgehogs, and predatory beetles.
Special Characteristics
Produces large amounts of sticky, noxious mucus when disturbed as a deterrent against predators. Can become an agricultural or garden pest in introduced regions.
Ecological Information
Acts as a decomposer and nutrient recycler in forest floor and garden ecosystems, breaking down organic waste and serving as a food source for numerous predators.