Slugs Not All Science is an Experiment

The slug is a gastropod, a soft-bodied type of land mollusk that lacks an external shell - they are closely related to snails. These invertebrates (animals with no backbone) usually live in moist areas on land. The biggest slug in North America is the plant-eating banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus).

Locomotion: The slug creeps along on its large, muscular foot by contracting a series of muscles on the underside of the body (making a wave that goes from the back end to the front). A special gland in the foot secretes mucus (a slimy fluid) that helps the slug move. The slug leaves a trail of slime behind them when they move.

Tentacles and Senses: Slugs have two pairs of tentacles on the head - they have a light-sensitive eyespot located on the top of each of the larger tentacles. The smaller pair of tentacles is used for the sense of smell and the sense of touch.

Diet: Most slugs eat plants, fungus and decaying vegetable material (they are detrivores or herbivores), but some are predators (carnivores). Slugs eat using a radula, a rough tongue-like organ that has thousands of tiny tooth-like protrusions called denticles.

Respiration: Slugs breathe oxygen through a hole in the side of their head (a pneumostome, meaning "air hole"). Slugs also absorb oxygen directly through their moist skin.

Reproduction: Slugs are hermaphroditic - each slug contains both male and female reproductive organs. Slugs lay clutches of 20 to 100 tiny eggs on the surface of the soil; they can fertilize the eggs themselves.

Predators of the Slug: Many animals eat slugs, including birds, fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, mammals (like raccoons and shrews), and many insects (including beetles).

We have a lot of fun with Slugs at CedarWood.

Did you know that Native Americans used ground-up slugs and their mucous as healing salve and for the relief of mosquito bites and nettle stings?

Banana Slugs have tongues with 27,000 rasping teeth.

Banana slugs are believed to be able to absorb water which can make their slimy "snot" up to 100 times their original volume.


Banana Slug:
The lyrics to the "Banana Slug" song, sung to the tune of 'Twist and Shout'.
http://sea.santacruz.k12.ca.us/osp/songs/bananaslug.html

How to make slime:
http://www.west.net/~science/slime.htm

http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/slime.html

http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/silly.html

Banana Slug:
Lots of cool facts about the banana slug
http://www.naturepark.com/bslug.htm

Slug Facts:
Interesting trivia slug facts, slug mascot info., pet slugs, and more slug info.
http://www.elu.edu/~biology/biosc_museum/case_05.htm

Spotted Banana Slug:
Facts about the Ariolimax columbianus...
http://www.walnet.org/stanley_woods/slugz/bananaslug.html

Banana Slug Song (Twist & Shout)

You know I love my baby
I love the way that she hugs
Some people don’t understand it
She’s a Banana Slug!

Chorus:
BAAA_NAA_NA Slug!

She only got one foot
She ain’t got no toes
The way she slides through the forestnow
She helps it decompose

Chorus:
BAAA_NAA_NA Slug!
Some peopple think she’s gross
They ain’t got no jive
My baby lives in the forest
She helps it to survive

Chorus:
BAAA_NAA_NA Slug!

The way she waves her antena
You know she gives me such bliss
Come on, come on, come on Banana Slug
Won’t you give me a kiss

Chorus:
BAAA_NAA_NA Slug!

The way she slides through the forest
You know she looks so fine
Come on, come on, come on Banana Slug
Won’t you be mine

Chorus:
BAAA_NAA_NA Slug!
BAAA_NAA_NA Slug!

(Yell)
Banana Slug