Banana Slugs-No Known Predators? No discussion of banana slugs in Santa Cruz would be complete of course, without a brief mention of Sammy the Slug from our alma mater (yes we are former banana slugs ourselves). What slugs themselves consume ends up … The mucus is used in the mating process as well – they leave another chemical in their slime which other slugs will find irresistible. By Rebecca Jacobson 10/17/2018 at 12:10pm Published in the November 2018 issue of Portland Monthly The Pacific banana slug is the second-largest species of terrestrial slug - growing up to 25cm (9.8 in) long - and weighs up to 115 grams (4.1 ounces). Size: Up to 9.8 inches and 4.1 grams. Banana slugs grow to be 6 to 8 inches, and the slug’s erect penis can be the same length. One subspecies, the Pacific banana slug, can grow up to 9 inches long, making it the second-largest slug in the world. How odd. They are infamous for gnawing off their mating partner's penis after copulation. This Banana Slug–Eating Survivalist Will School You on Wilderness Skills Nicole Apelian says those mustard-colored monopods are delicious. (The banana slug isn’t one for the table, despite its name. The Ariolimax genus for the Pacific Banana Slug means “air slug.” It is a shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusk and is the world’s second largest slug species. A creature that big, slow, and yellow had better be distasteful if it wants to survive.) The Banana Slug is a hermaphrodite which means that they contain female and male organs. The slime actually helps attract water and has the potential to absorb up to 100 times the slugs water weight. They often are intercepted when they attempt to cross trails. Slime also supports the banana slug’s mobility in navigating through the forest, gliding over dirt, leaves, and other debris. UCSC Banana Slug Logo. First, it’s enormous. This is not a pest species; however, it is commonly intercepted and may be mistakenly classified as a pest due to its large size. The Banana Slug is the second largest terrestrial slug on the planet. The penis of a full-grown banana slug is hard to miss. Banana slugs, like earthworms, are hermaphrodites, so every sexually mature adult should have had one. Life Span: 1-7 years on average. Barring predation, the banana slug’s life expectancy is believed to be between 3 to 6 years. When they meet for mating purposes, banana slugs form a heart shape and exchange sperm. The Pacific banana slug can be found inhabiting humid coastal forests. Yet some — about five percent — didn’t. D olichophallus, meaning "long penis", is the scientific name given to the banana slug. Cool Facts: Named the Banana Slug for their yellow coloration, these slugs also can be brown/tan, white, or even slightly green. When hiking through the redwood forest in Redwood National and State Parks one may encounter many spineless creatures, however, there are two that are highly visible and capture attention: the banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus) and yellow-spotted millipede (Harpaphe haydeniana).These two widely unrelated species (the banana slug is a mollusk and the millipede an arthropod) are often … The banana slug is often bright yellow, though it can be brown, white, and green. It depends on the species. Banana slugs are mostly water and are prone to desiccation. Its lifespan is between one to seven years.