Banana Slugs

Denizen of Redwood National and State Parks

Continued from: Coast Redwoods

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by M. D. Vaden

Banana slugs are bright yellow, and possibly green, brown or white. Some banana slugs have black spots. The Pacific Banana Slug is the 2nd-largest species of terrestrial slug in the world, growing up to 10 inches and 1/4 lb. ... just behind the larger 12 inch Limax cinereoniger of Europe.

More beneath photo ...

 

 

Banana slugs can move roughly 6 inches or 15 cm per minute.

Banana Slug mucus /slime can contain pheromones to attract other slugs for mating.

Slugs use 2 pair of tentacles to sense environment. The upper pair called eyestalks detect light or movement. The lower pair detect chemicals. Tentacles can retract and extend to avoid damage.

@ Youtube ...

See Youtube Louis Eats Banana Slug if still posted. Louis porks-down a Banana Slug in the forest. Some viewers may need a barf bag handy to watch. The video may end any lingering curiosity for a few who have thought's of eating one.

Apparently, there was a recipe on the last page of a local cookbook, A Taste of Humboldt. It requires soaking in vinegar to cut slime and kill, then popping a hidden shell near the head, and later saute' in butter. Odds are that leaves most folks just wanting to watch these in the forest.

Banana slugs were used as food by North Coast Yurok Indians in the 19th and 20th centuries.

John Travolta wore a U. of C. Santa Cruz Banana Slug T-Shirt in Pulp Fiction. The Banana slug was a Mascot for the teams.

 

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