The lowly Slug, poor creature, I mean it’s a slug right? Does it get any love from anyone as it slimes its way around! These things suffer from just about the worst PR in the history of the planet!
I wouldn’t even be writing this except for the fact that one gooed across my path the other day and I’d never seen one like it. I looked up info about it on line and I discovered that the poor bloke was an endangered species in my area!
This 15 centimeter (almost 6 inches) endangered variety of Slug (Limax Dacampoi) got me thinking!
Abraham Lincoln said: “I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.”
Honest Abe’s advice seems very sound to me and I’ve often put it into practice in dealing with other humans. Perhaps it was time to give it a try with the Slug ! Maybe I just need to get to know it better!
Why Does The Slug Get Such A Bad Rap?
First of all they’re gross, right? But let’s leave that aside for a moment and focus on their name…Slug! I mean, it’s just so negative. Check out some of the dictionary definitions of that word.
- Any of various snail like terrestrial gastropods having no shell or only a rudimentary one, feeding on plants and a pest of leafy garden crops.
- A metal disk used as a coin or token, generally counterfeit.
- A person who is lazy or slow-moving; sluggard.
- A slow-moving animal, vehicle, or the like.
See what I mean about the name? Perhaps a name change would be in order. How about Gummy Worm or Stretchy? Realistically I guess it’s too late for a name change so I’d better look for some positives about our little “friends”.
What Does The Internet Say About Slugs?
A quick internet search using the word Slug and again it’s just sooo negative: It’s all about how to get rid of them!
- How To Identify And Get Rid Of Slugs! The opening phrase of the article: “Slugs are very damaging garden pests that can be found throughout the country”
- How To get Rid Of Garden Slugs! This article goes on to list four ways to kill them! Illustrations included!
- Facts About Slugs And How To Kill Garden Slugs This article starts: “Slugs are one of the most damaging pests in the garden. Given the proper environment, a family of slugs can devastate a vegetable crop in a matter of days. “
Hmm, this isn't going very well. Let's try a different approach I'll type in:
Are There Any Positive Things About Slugs?
Sorry Slugs there’s not much here but I did see this:
“However if you have a natural garden then, of course, yes slugs and snails are very important. They provide food for all sorts of mammals, birds, slow worms, earthworms, insects and they are part of the natural balance.”
Seems to be clutching at straws but hey, it’s a start. They provide food for other creatures. It’s still all about killing them though!
Are There any Beautiful Garden Slugs?
I did find this one at pixabay.com Rather than being a disgusting brown thing oozing slime and eating all of your plants it’s a beautiful blue color. The problem is it still oozes slime and it still eats all of your plants!
Color wise this one's got something going for it. Especially if you like blue!
Can We Just Marvel at Some Quick Facts About Slugs?
- A slug’s blood is green and they lay 20-100 eggs several times a year! The eggs can lay dormant for years!
- Only about 5% of the population is above ground at any given moment.
- They are hermaphrodite, having both male and female reproductive organs and so can mate alone if necessary!
- They can live up to 6 years!
- They can stretch to 20 times their normal length meaning that they can squeeze through tiny openings.
- Almost all eat vegetation but they have about 27,000 teeth which they can grow back if lost!
- A cubic metre of garden will on average contain up to 200 slugs.
- Their sensory tentacles grow back if lost!
Well I can't say that I've mustered up any love for Slugs but at least now I understand them better! I guess that's a good start!
What Do You Think?
- Do Slugs gross you out?
- Are they a pest in your garden?
- Do you try and get rid of them like just about everyone else seems to do?
- Am I missing something?
I hope that you enjoyed this article on Can We Possibly Love Slugs?
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Remember, I reward the best comment(s) on each of my posts with my "The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone" program! So please re-steem and follow so that we can spread the wealth!