Invertebrate
Leopard Slug
Limax maximusAlso known as Great Grey Slug, Tiger Slug, Spotted Garden Slug
Leopard slugs are striking nocturnal mollusks recognized by their grey bodies covered in distinctive dark leopard-like spots and stripes. They perform a remarkable aerial mating ritual in which pairs suspend themselves upside down from tree branches or structures on long slime threads. Highly beneficial in gardens, these giant slugs consume decaying organic matter, fungi, and even hunt other pest slugs.
NocturnalMolluskDetritivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFungi, Decaying Leaves, Other Slugs
Predators
- Toads
- Hedgehogs
- Ground Beetles
ThreatsChemical slug baits, habitat clearing, and extreme drought
HabitatsGardens, damp woodlands, compost heaps, and urban parks
Life span2–3 years
Classification
- OrderStylommatophora
- FamilyLimacidae
- GenusLimax
- SpeciesLimax maximus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Night Spotting: Search damp garden beds, logs, or walls after dark using a flashlight.
- Moisture Care: Avoid excessive handling as skin salts and dry air can dehydrate them.
- Garden Protection: Keep mulch and compost damp to encourage natural pest control.
Competitor (c) Drepanostoma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Drepanostoma · cc-by
Ecological Counterpart Thomas Schoch / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) H. Krisp, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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