Thursday 26 October 2017

Arion ater

I keep one of the rubble buckets I use when collecting garden plant cuttings upside down to stop it filling with rain water which madam likes to drink. Yesterday when I moved it I spied the fattest slug I have ever seen. Particularly noticeable was the bright orange fringe to its foot.

Arion ater slug 02

Arion ater slug 01

These can reach a length of 140mm (5.5 inches) This one was hunched up and apparently sleeping so measured about 75mm (3 inches). Possibly a juvenile by its pale colouring. It may be a young Arion ater Rufus.

5 comments:

  1. I've never seen one of those, I'd remember that orange line!

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  2. Simon. Yes, very memorable. I think this is the first I have seen.

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  3. What a beauty. I found the leopard slug and thought that wonderful. I hope you are treating it nicely.

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  4. PS. They don't bite and don't feel anything but a bit chilly. They do salivate but what the hell.
    Great find John.

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    Replies
    1. Adrian: I don't think I can convince my neighbour they don't bite their veggies ;)

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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