Photo 1. Leopard slugs mating (Photo by Patrik Krstinić)

THE LEOPARD SLUG
(Limax maximus)

Originally inhabiting Europe and western Africa, Limax maximus (leopard slug) was introduced in the 19^th century into North America where it spread rapidly. Leopard slugs prefer the vicinity of human dwellings and we can see them at night as they search for food. They eat fresh and decomposing plant material and fungi and, as often as not, hunt other slugs. The leopard slug is a hermaphrodite, which means that it possesses both male and female sexual organs. After mating, both slugs will lay hundreds of eggs in the moist earth.

Patrik Krstinić