Slug

Snails

Salamanders

Slug Top Of Page

Essentially, a slug is a snail that, through evolution, has either lost its shell completely or has a very reduced or internalized shell.

Gastropods are incredibly diverse and thrive in various habitats, including land, freshwater, and marine environments. Slugs, however, prefer cool, moist, and dark environments to prevent desiccation. You can often find them under logs, rocks, leaf litter, or in crevices and cracks in the soil.  

Slugs are adaptable eaters, categorized as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, or detritivores. They possess a radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, used to scrape and grind food. Their diet can include: 

• Algae
• Fungi
• Decaying plant material and fungi
• Living plants, including seedlings and crops
• Feces
• Carrion
• Insects, worms, and other slugs (carnivorous species) 

Most land slugs are hermaphroditic, meaning each individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs. While self-fertilization can occur, slugs typically engage in mating rituals and exchange sperm with a partner, according to the City of Palo Alto. Eggs, often laid in clutches in moist, sheltered locations, hatch into immature slugs that resemble adults but are smaller and more vulnerable.  

The lifespan of a slug can vary depending on the species and environmental conditions, generally ranging from 6 months to 18 months, says Oregon State University. Some larger species can live for several years. Factors like cold winters, dry conditions, and predators can significantly impact a slug’s lifespan. 

Snails Top Of Page

 Snails are a diverse group of gastropod mollusks, easily recognized by the coiled shells they carry on their backs. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including: 

• Land: forest floors, gardens, mountains, deserts, and even urban areas.
• Freshwater: rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds.
• Marine: oceans, from the deepest depths to shallow coastal waters. 

• Shell: Most snails possess a single, external, spirally coiled shell made primarily of calcium carbonate. This shell serves as a protective retreat from predators and harsh environmental conditions.
• Muscular foot: Snails move by gliding on a broad, flat muscular foot located on the underside of their bodies. This movement is facilitated by a layer of mucus they secrete.
• Head with tentacles: Snails have a distinct head equipped with one or two pairs of tentacles. The upper pair typically bears eyes, while the lower pair acts as sensory organs for touch and smell.
• Radula: Many snails have a rasping, ribbon-like structure called a radula, located in their mouth. This radula is covered with tiny teeth and is used for scraping or cutting food. 

Snails exhibit a wide range of feeding habits, depending on the species. 

• Herbivores: Many are herbivores, grazing on algae, lichens, and plants.
• Detritivores: Some feed on decaying plant and animal matter, playing a role in decomposition.
• Carnivores: Certain species are carnivorous, preying on insects, worms, and even other snails. For example, Snail Food Sampler Pack #2 is a protein-based snail food supplement for carnivorous snails.

Salamanders Top Of Page

A salamander is a fascinating type of amphibian known for its lizard-like appearance, slender body, short limbs, and a tail that persists into adulthood. While they may resemble lizards, they lack the scales, claws, and external ear openings characteristic of reptiles.

• Appearance: They have moist, permeable skin, which can be smooth or warty, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. They typically have four toes on their front feet and five on their rear feet, though some species may have fewer digits or even lack hind limbs.
• Habitat: Their permeable skin makes them reliant on habitats near or in water or other cool, damp places. Some are fully aquatic, some are semi-aquatic, and others are entirely terrestrial as adults.
• Diet: Salamanders are carnivorous and opportunistic predators, feeding on insects, worms, snails, and other small animals. Some larger species even prey on crabs, fish, and small mammals.
• Regeneration: Salamanders are remarkable for their ability to regenerate lost limbs and other damaged body parts, including their tails, jaws, and even parts of their spinal cord. This makes them valuable for scientific research into regenerative processes.
• Defense: They have several defense mechanisms, including producing toxic skin secretions and using tail autotomy (detaching their tail to distract predators).
• Life Cycle: Most salamanders lay eggs in water and have aquatic larvae with external gills. Some species exhibit neoteny, retaining larval features like gills into adulthood.
• Diversity: There are about 760 living species of salamanders, with the highest diversity found in eastern North America. The largest is the critically endangered Chinese giant salamander, reaching up to 1.8 meters (6 ft) in length. The smallest are the Minute salamanders, which can be as small as 16mm.