Banana slugs are mollusks (like snails and conches) that have been on the earth, mostly unchanged, for millions of years. They have both male and female organs and can fertilize their own eggs, which makes them hermaphrodites. Even without bones, teeth or tongue, they live up to 7 years.
The slime they are known for makes it easier for them to move across the ground (or rock), and protects them from sharp rocks, twigs and other objects. Their slime is so effective they can crawl over an upright razor blade and not be cut.
Banana slugs eat dead plant material, animal excrement, mushrooms and poison oak, making them a great forest partner.
Indigenous Yurok Indians ate them when other food became scarce.
This was my first sighting of one in the middle of a stream, on the top of a rock, looking to get to the next, surrendering mid-slither to a drink from the chilly creek.
The slime they are known for makes it easier for them to move across the ground (or rock), and protects them from sharp rocks, twigs and other objects. Their slime is so effective they can crawl over an upright razor blade and not be cut.
Banana slugs eat dead plant material, animal excrement, mushrooms and poison oak, making them a great forest partner.
Indigenous Yurok Indians ate them when other food became scarce.
This was my first sighting of one in the middle of a stream, on the top of a rock, looking to get to the next, surrendering mid-slither to a drink from the chilly creek.
No comments:
Post a Comment