Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2297125

Carolina Mantleslug

Philomycus carolinianus

Also 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
Carolina Mantleslug reference1 / 7
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 →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. OrderStylommatophora
  2. FamilyPhilomycidae
  3. GenusPhilomycus
  4. SpeciesPhilomycus carolinianus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain Pro

Secret Garden

Carolina Mantleslug is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

Unlock to track progress

Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…