Pacific banana slug

Ariolimax columbianus · The Pacific banana slug is a large slug found on the Pacific coast of North America.

Pacific banana slug
Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0
Pacific banana slug
Photo: Awinch1001, CC0
Pacific banana slug
Photo: Trougnouf, CC BY 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumMollusca
ClassGastropoda
OrderStylommatophora
FamilyAriolimacidae
GenusAriolimax
SpeciesAriolimax columbianus

Where it lives

Damp coniferous forests from Alaska to central California.

Fun facts

  • The Pacific banana slug is the second-largest land slug in the world, growing up to 25 centimeters (9.8 in) long.
  • These slugs help forests grow by playing an important role in spreading seeds.
  • Its forest range stretches from the northern California coast all the way up to Alaska.
  • It is the only banana slug species of its genus found outside of California.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).