A couple of days ago, while hiking to Endert’s Beach near Crescent City, we came upon many Banana Slugs wandering about on the wet grass following the heavy rains of the previous night. Sometimes, it’s useful to include an object for size reference when photographing small creatures. Musing over what to use, I came up with what seemed to be an appropriate object — a banana.
Setting the banana on the ground beside the slug, it soon became apparent that the banana was of interest to the slug. It immediately slithered over for a better view. After a few tentative pokes with its eye stalks, it began what can best be described as a Vulcan mindmeld as it pressed its radula (rasping mouth parts) against the banana. By the way, that’s the open pneumostome (breathing opening) on the slug’s right side.
As you can see from the above photo, within seconds, the Banana Slug had chewed a goodly sized hole in the banana skin. The lesson in all of this — don’t leave your bananas unattended while traveling in Banana Slug country.
Tags: Banana slug
