Banana Slug
Ariolimax
Appearance
Range & Habitat
Reciprocal Relationships
Banana slugs lay 20 to 30 eggs that look like small chicken eggs. The eggs spend winter in the ground and hatch the following spring. Young slugs spread from the nest and find their own home range, with a good supply of food and shelter. Birds, small mammals and reptiles feed on banana slugs.
People have many long-standing traditions with banana slugs. One of which is slug racing which has occurred on Bowen Island since 1977! Banana slugs use the two antennae on the top of their head to sense light changes, the bottom two are used for smelling and feeling. They also have slime which keeps them moist so they can glide along the forest floor—making them an excellent candidate for slug racing. Another tradition is kissing the banana slug, but you really shouldn’t engage in this as bacteria may harm the slug. Their slime is also an anesthetic that will numb your mouth if you lick one!