Garden molluscs » Slug or snail? » Garden slugs » Position of pneumostome » In front of mantle mid-line » Arion ater
Arion ater (L. 1758)
Description: Very large slug. Extended length 10 - 15 (rarely 20) cm., and contracts into a hemispherical attitude. Very variable in colour, completely black specimens being commonest in north of range, but also brick-red, orange and grey. The foot fringe is broad and often paler and redder than body. Dark lateral bands are usually present only in small juveniles, but occasionally persist in adults. Tubercles large and elongate. When contracted and irritated, may rock from side to side for some time.
Habitat: Very ubiquitous - grassland, moors, hedges, woods and gardens, even on the most acid terrain.
Arion ater - black form
Some other colour forms of the "Large Black Slug" are shown below.
