The Great Grey Slug (Limax maximus; also known as the Tiger slug or the Spotted leopard slug) is the largest type of keeled slug, noted for its dark-spotted pale-grey body and the short keel on its rear. It can grow to be as long as 8 inches (0.20 metres) and mostly feeds on rotting plant matter and fungi. Its range includes the British Isles.

The Great Grey Slug is almost always found near human habitation — usually in cellars or in other damp areas. Its mating habits are also considered unusual among slugs — the hermaphrodite slugs court – usually for hours – by circling and licking each other. After this, the slugs will climb into a tree or other high area and then, entwined together, lower themselves on a thick string of mucus and exchange sperm. Both participants will later lay hundreds of eggs.

A Great Grey Slug will live for approximately three years.

See also

• Yellow Slug
• Banana slug

References

• The Wildlife Trusts; retrieved March 26, 2005.
• ''Stuart M. Bennett, 2000; Great Grey Slugs; retrieved March 26, 2005.

External links

• Images of the Great Grey Slug
• Images of two Limax Maximus' mating

Slugs

Plettet gråsnegl | Tigerschnegel | Didysis šliužas | Grote aardslak | Pomrów wielki