@fascinatedbyfungi: Check out these silly slugs sliding around the forest floor. These are #BananaSlugs #Ariolimax species, found along the west coast of North America. . Contained within slug slime is a potent cocktail of water loving (hygroscopic) proteins than absorb water creating a gel, upon which the slugs glide effortlessly. These proteins also serve as a potent defense against would be predators, immediately numbing and sucking dry the mouth of anything trying to eat the slug. The slug trail is also laced with pheromones that help them locate and assess potential mating partners. .. As with other slugs and land snails, they have a distinctive opening (seen here in this video) on the right side of their mantle. This is the pneumostome, it is a respiratory breathing hole that opens and closes to assist with gas exchange. It is also where they mate, reciprocally inserting their epically long penises to exchange gametes (slugs are hermaphroditic). . I went to UCSC for undergrad where a freshman right of passage was to lick a banana slug, but PLEASE DO NOT LICK THEM! Banana slugs are amazing mascot, but licking them will stress out the slug and numb your mouth. Just enjoy the slugs without disturbing them, if anything, help them out by offering them a tasty mushroom! . #bananaslug #slug #slugs #wildlife #animalphotography #slime #funny #naturehumor #goslugs #ucsc #ucsantacruz #fascinatedbyfungi #biology #sciencetok