Dumbledore
Achatina immaculata
#heavily caffeinated
Posts: 251
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Post by Dumbledore on Jul 31, 2013 15:08:09 GMT
I was outside today, and I found six slugs underneath a flat rock. I have found garden slugs before that ranged from about a centimeter to a centimeter and a half, but these are huge. The biggest is probably a good 6 or 7 centimeters, and their slime is really sticky. They are really fast too! Bodies are mostly brown, gray, and a bit of black. The measurements may be a bit off, I live in the middle of America.  Also they aren't really eating the cucumber I put in the container I'm keeping them in right now, that could help identify but they probably are just picky or have been living off of my garden's lettuce! So, any ideas on species/care needs? I might be able to post a picture later. EDIT: Also, would I be able to put them in the same tank as my snails? They're CB helix aspersa. And do slugs get mites like snails do? |
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Post by malacophile on Jul 31, 2013 15:18:10 GMT
It's most likely Deroceras reticulatum, the gray field slug. They're very common in the region. Another common slug is Lehmannia valentiana, the three-banded garden slug. They're brown/rusty and have stripes running down their backs in varying degrees of boldness, although some have none at all. Neither are native to the US, but to Europe.
I don't see why slugs wouldn't be able to get mites like snails, although I've never seen either one with them, so I'm not sure. I also wouldn't keep them with your H. aspersa. Being captive bred, they likely don't have immunity to whatever the slugs could be carrying.
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Dumbledore
Achatina immaculata
#heavily caffeinated
Posts: 251
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Post by Dumbledore on Jul 31, 2013 15:19:18 GMT
Yeah, these have gray/black stripes. So will they be okay with aspersa?
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Post by morningcoffee on Jul 31, 2013 16:16:37 GMT
Yes, slugs can get Riccardoella limacum mites just as snails can. Here's a video of a slug that's infested with mites: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP8Mz1w0o1A#t=00m35sAnd it would be best not to put anything wild-caught in with captive-bred snails. |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on Jul 31, 2013 17:38:16 GMT
Yes, slugs can get Riccardoella limacum mites just as snails can. Here's a video of a slug that's infested with mites: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP8Mz1w0o1A#t=00m35sAnd it would be best not to put anything wild-caught in with captive-bred snails. Ouch! Those mites were crawling furiously! |
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Dumbledore
Achatina immaculata
#heavily caffeinated
Posts: 251
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Post by Dumbledore on Jul 31, 2013 17:44:37 GMT
Wow. O.O I don't see any mites on my slugs! What would happen if I put them together?
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Post by anachronism on Jul 31, 2013 17:47:05 GMT
Wow. O.O I don't see any mites on my slugs! What would happen if I put them together? you could well kill the snails |
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Dumbledore
Achatina immaculata
#heavily caffeinated
Posts: 251
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Post by Dumbledore on Jul 31, 2013 17:49:51 GMT
But how would it kill them? Sorry if I sound like a total newbie. |
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shivles
Achatina achatina
Posts: 90 
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Post by shivles on Jul 31, 2013 18:18:03 GMT
They will possibly carry pests and disease that the captive bred snails can't cope with. If they're exposed from birth they learn to cope but to suddenly be exposed now could be catastrophic for them.
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Dumbledore
Achatina immaculata
#heavily caffeinated
Posts: 251
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Post by Dumbledore on Jul 31, 2013 18:25:13 GMT
Okay, thanks.
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Post by vallery on Aug 1, 2013 3:45:16 GMT
Try feeding your slugs mushroom. Mine are all crazy for it. vallery  |
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Dumbledore
Achatina immaculata
#heavily caffeinated
Posts: 251
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Post by Dumbledore on Aug 1, 2013 11:58:18 GMT
I have to set them free, so sweet potato until Friday.
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Also they aren't really eating the cucumber I put in the container I'm keeping them in right now, that could help identify but they probably are just picky or have been living off of my garden's lettuce! So, any ideas on species/care needs? I might be able to post a picture later.
