Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2297125
Carolina Mantleslug
Philomycus carolinianusAlso known as Carolina Mantle Slug, Carolina Slug
Carolina mantleslugs glide across decaying logs on humid nights, grazing on bracket fungi and moist lichens with their rasping radula. A fleshy mantle stretches over the entire length of the back, shielding the soft body and lending the slug its mottled, leathery appearance. By breaking down rotting wood and spreading fungal spores, these woodland gastropods drive vital nutrient cycling in eastern North American deciduous forests.
NocturnalForest FloorDecomposer
Licensed reference(c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fruiting Fungi
- Tree Lichens
- Decaying Leaf Litter
Predators
- Red-backed Salamander
- Ground Beetles
- Northern Short-tailed Shrew
ThreatsForest fragmentation, prolonged drought, non-native predatory slugs, intensive logging
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed temperate woodlands, mature hardwood forests, damp leaf litter
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderStylommatophora
- FamilyPhilomycidae
- GenusPhilomycus
- SpeciesPhilomycus carolinianus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; wash hands if touched to remove sticky slime.
Responsible observation
- Log Rolling: Look beneath damp, rotting hardwood logs and always roll them gently back into place.
- Night Spotting: Search forest trails with a dim flashlight after summer rains when individuals forage openly.
- Handling Caution: Avoid lifting by hand, as their defensive mucus adheres stubbornly to skin.
Predator Alex Karasoulos / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Cephas / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Food Source Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
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