Invertebrate
California Banana Slug
Ariolimax californicusThe California Banana Slug is a large shell-less land snail, commonly yellow but sometimes greenish, brown, or spotted. It glides across damp forest litter on mucus, grazing decomposing plant material and helping recycle nutrients.
Forest DetritivoreLand SlugMoist Habitat
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFungi, algae, lichens, decaying vegetation, animal waste, and tender living plants
Predators
- Garter snakes
- Raccoons
- Ground beetles
ThreatsForest drying, habitat removal, trampling, pesticides, road mortality, and prolonged drought
HabitatsCool moist forest, redwood groves, stream margins, shaded gardens, and deep leaf litter
Life spanUsually several years under moist, protected conditions
Classification
- FamilyAriolimacidae
- SpeciesAriolimax californicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Avoid touching slugs, and wash hands after accidental contact with mucus.
Responsible observation
- Look: Search damp leaf litter after rain without overturning logs.
- Trail: Step around slugs rather than moving them by hand.
- Observe: Notice the breathing pore on the right side of the mantle.
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