Leopard slug eating a snail

[Bruce Williams]

Leopard Slug - a keeled slug also known as the Great Grey Slug (Limax maximus) - personally I prefer the more descriptive name of Leopard Slug .

These are really quite beautiful slugs (well I guess it's all relative) and an interesting species to boot. They have quite an extraordinary method of mating - entwined together dangling at the end of a string of mucus. I'm pretty sure that Rik has photos of this species mating (Rik?).

I was quite surprised to see (what appears to be) this near cannibalistic behaviour and I did watched it for some time. It's always possible of course that the slug may have found some other source of food in an empty snail shell.

Bruce

[Dearis]

Hi Bruce,

love the shot, and the way you presented it, really great stuff.

Regards Darren

[beetleman]

Insets always add a little extra to the photos, well done Bruce. He does have a beautiful pattern. He might just be eating leftovers

[rjlittlefield]

I'm pretty sure that Rik has photos of this species mating (Rik?).

Just one, but it's been very popular at my personal website. For reasons known only to itself, Google currently ranks that page as #9 on the hit parade of mating slugs.

I posted a description into the old forum quite some time ago. Oh yeah, here.

From what I read, the leopard slug is omnivorous and is quite fond of high protein snacks provided by other molluscs. There's some debate as to whether it is or is not a garden pest, everything considered.

Nice picture, Bruce!

--Rik

[Walter Piorkowski]

Very nice detail in both images Bruce. I must learn how to do that incert trick. Very nicely done. Walt

[Bruce Williams]

Thank you all for your generous comments - and Rik also for adding the interesting links.

Bruce

[Ken Ramos]

I've seen these before but never knew the name of them. That "V" shaped area on the back is a curiosity. I know little about these slimy creatures and have heard they can be pests in the garden but as to why I don't know that either. Seems I don't know much about a lot of things. Anyway, a very nice image here Bruce.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Ken.

If you fancy a quick overview of slug anatomy this website will only take a minute or two to check out.

Bruce