We came upon this large red slug one evening and because of the hole in its head we at first thought it was a Leopard Slug. After a bit of research, we discovered that it was actually a European Red Slug. The hole is a pneumostome (breathing pore). We were familiar with the Leopard Slug from watching a horrifying video [NSFW] about its mating habits. For a tamer version, you can watch a clip of the original BBC documentary. The documentary is still horrifying, but the commentary is different.
Arion rufus
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…the first video was as funny as it was…horrific…LOL.
I suppose I have to offer you my sympathy if you have these in your garden. I remember the Leopard slugs from my time spent in Victoria, BC. Are they also as big as the Leopards?
Our slugs are very pedestrian in comparison, something I’m grateful for.
I’ve seen that clip several times now, and I feel like it’s a train wreak but I can’t stop watching. Or giggling. Or having my eyes bulge out of my head.
We have the European red slug all over our place but I haven’t seen the Leopard slug on it yet. We’ve seen Leopard slug other places though. Both slugs grow to about the same size. Usually the slugs we get are a bit smaller then the one in the picture.
..european..I was expecting the slug to have darkened/tinted glasses and a scarf.
gross! ( not glasses and scarves )
OMG! I watched that first video. OMG is all that I can say. That was nasty, It was slimy! And huge compared to the slug’s body! OMG is all that I can say! My eyes were bulging out of my head! I never made it to the giggly place, it was too weird and ughhhhh, nasty! Both slugs are both sexes!!! I guess they don’t have to be picky in choosing a mate…. Yuck, I feel slimy now! Maybe I’ll have to go back and watch the train wreck again….