10 Things You Didn’t Know About Slugs
- 9 May 2019
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Slugs can be a pain in your garden, especially when it comes to protecting your precious vegetables from their insatiable appetite. As you start planting this season's crops, slug control is likely at the forefront of your mind. However, there are several fascinating facts about slugs that you may not be aware of. Let's explore them:
1. Slugs evolved from snails
Despite lacking a shell, slugs actually evolved from snails. Scientists speculate that the absence of a shell may be due to factors such as insufficient calcium, high dampness, or humidity levels. Some slugs still retain a vestigial shell in the form of a leathery mantle.
2. Only 5% of slugs are above ground
When you spot hundreds of slugs in your garden, it's important to remember that they represent only a small portion of the slug population. Around 90 to 95% of slugs dwell beneath the ground, not to mention the countless eggs they lay. In the UK, an average garden can harbor up to 20,000 slugs.
3. Slugs are hermaphrodites
Slugs possess both male and female genitalia, enabling them to reproduce independently if they fail to find a suitable mate. When slugs mate, they both become pregnant, resulting in both individuals laying eggs after a certain period.
4. Slugs lay numerous eggs
A single slug has the capacity to lay up to 100 eggs multiple times throughout the year. Considering that both slugs become pregnant following mating, thousands of eggs can be laid annually. These eggs, which are small, delicate, pearly white balls, are typically deposited in the soil. They can remain dormant for years until the perfect conditions for hatching arise, making it possible for a hidden trove of eggs to be waiting underground.
5. Slugs boast an astonishing number of teeth
Surprisingly, slugs possess approximately 27,000 teeth, surpassing the tooth count of a shark. Similar to sharks, slugs continuously lose and replace their teeth. They employ this vast array of teeth to bite off and consume their food.
6. Remarkable stretchiness
Slugs have an impressive ability to stretch up to 20 times their own length. This remarkable elasticity assists them in squeezing into tight spaces or even traversing minuscule holes to reach tantalizing food sources.
7. Unique blood color
Unlike humans, slugs possess yellowish-green blood. This distinctive hue results from the presence of a molecule called Hemocyanin, which aids in oxygen transport within slugs.
8. Four tentacles
You may have noticed that slugs have four tentacles. These tentacles serve different functions and are retractable. The larger pair enables them to see and smell their surroundings, while the smaller pair is used for touch and taste. If a slug loses one of these tentacles, it simply regrows it.
9. Individual slime trails
A slug's slime is as unique as human fingerprints. The slime possesses its own scent, helping slugs find their way back home. Additionally, slug slime is highly absorbent, making slugs more active in wet conditions. Water enhances the effectiveness of their slime, facilitating their movement. As a result, slug slime can be notoriously difficult to wash off.
10. Methods to deter slugs
Dealing with slug damage in your garden can be a challenge, but there are effective ways to deter them. British gardeners employ over 400 billion slug pellets annually to kill slugs. These pellets dehydrate slugs, causing their demise. Vinegar is also an effective slug killer and aids in removing slug slime from hands. However, there are non-lethal methods to discourage slugs. For example, using copper tape around the top of plant pots or creating rough terrain with gravel, broken eggshells, or wood chips can deter slugs, as they do not favor such conditions.
11. Additional Facts
In addition to these intriguing facts, it's worth noting that there are approximately 40 species of slugs, each with its own characteristics and preferences. Slugs and snails are often associated with causing damage as slugs eat plants, particularly in small gardens. However, it's essential to remember that they also serve as valuable members of the ecosystem. Slugs contribute to the breakdown of organic matter in compost heaps and can act as a food source for other creatures like slow worms, frogs, toads, and ground beetles.
To tackle slug infestations, gardeners often resort to various methods such as using wool pellets, beer traps, or observing the slime trail left behind by slugs. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between managing slug populations and preserving the delicate ecological balance in your garden.
