Slugs may not be everybody’s idea of an ideal pet, but they’re fascinating creatures. These shell-less gastropod mollusks are related to snails, whelks, and abalones. Many people think that slugs are simply snails without shells. However, matters are much more complex: they evolved from snails and have an interior shell under their skin!
Needless to say, slugs are incredibly interesting, and that’s why they can be great pets. In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about keeping slugs, from their diet to their habitat.
Slugs Can Make Interesting Pets
Whether slugs make suitable pets depends on what you’re looking for. A slug may not be the best option if you want to interact with your new animal and forge a connection. However, they make great observational pets because you can create a terrarium and watch how they go about their lives. It’s similar to keeping a pet fish but definitely more niche!
There are thousands of species of slugs globally, so you can find one that meets your preferences. They’ll also make a great talking point because they’re not the most common pets. For example, like snails, they have a single muscular foot that allows them to slide everywhere. Slugs are great if you find them interesting and want to learn about how they live. However, it’s crucial to learn to keep them properly.
Where Should I Keep A Pet Slug?
One benefit of keeping pet slugs is that you don’t need a fancy tank or terrarium. Of course, you can put them in one if you wish, but it’s not essential. Any container with a secure lid, like an old candy box or a storage container, will do the job. You should pierce the box with tiny holes to ensure good ventilation. Don’t make them too big or the slug will escape. You can cover the holes with gauze if necessary. Add live plants to replicate their real ecosystem, but don’t forget that they’ll probably eat them. They’re one of the garden creepy-crawlies that we shouldn’t kill because of their key role.
Slugs thrive at room temperature but are at risk of drying out. That’s why the correct humidity levels in their enclosures are essential. A suitable moist substrate can help maintain ideal humidity levels. You can mix soil with leaves and grass to provide a natural surface. Slugs even eat the leaves and perform their natural function of recycling decomposing vegetation.
Mist their enclosure by spraying water inside twice per day. It’s better to use distilled water instead of tap water because the latter has high chlorine levels. You can do this during feeding times. This will further enhance the humidity levels for your slugs. Don’t forget to clean their enclosure regularly so that no unhealthy bacteria or organisms gather inside. Slugs can spread diseases, so exercise caution.
Slugs Thrive on Veggies and Decomposing Matter
Many gardeners hate slugs snails, and bugs because, as foragers, slugs happily munch on flowers and vegetables. However, they play an essential role in their environments because they consume dead and decaying plant matter. Slug and snail feces are key in helping to spread seeds and recycling soil. Similarly to bees, they play a crucial role in our natural world. The good news is that this makes it very easy for owners to feed them. They’re omnivorous creatures but prefer vegetation, so you can give them leafy greens, fruit, and vegetables. Bananas and carrots are great options for slugs because they contain sugars and starches, which provide energy.
Mushrooms are also excellent options because they love them in the wild and also have high nitrogen levels. Be careful pairing different slug species together because some will eat each other. They may also consume earthworms and raw meat, but you’re unlikely to include the latter in your home enclosure! Slugs won’t overeat, so you should give them what they will eat and remove waste food the next day. This may take some experimentation initially, especially if you’re keeping several slugs in your terrarium.
Slugs Generally Live at Least Six Months
A slug’s life span will vary depending on the species and the care they receive. Most slugs will live for at least six months while some live for over four years. They also multiply pretty quickly and can lay up to 500 eggs annually. Keep this in mind if you’re keeping several slugs together because they may breed. Usually, they lay batches of 10 to 50 eggs at a time. This can be problematic––especially if you’ve accidentally bred an invasive slug species. Check with your local wildlife guidelines to learn whether it’s safe to release them into the wild or if you should cull them.
Do Slugs Carry Diseases That Harm Humans?
There’s a myth that slugs are poisonous, but this is untrue. However, they may carry harmful bacteria or parasites that can affect humans if you accidentally eat one! Always wash your hands after handling slugs. Rat lungworm disease is one of the most notorious illnesses people get from slugs. This is a nasty condition that you may contract if you eat a slug containing lungworm larvae. You can also get it if you eat unwashed leaves that contaminated slugs crawled over. This condition is a rare form of meningitis, but it is very avoidable with basic precautions. Always supervise young children around slugs.
These Slugs Make Great Pets
There are over 40,000 gastropods across the globe. Here are some popular slugs that make great pets:
Leopard Slugs: Carnivorous Slugs
Leopard slugs take their name from their distinctive patterning. Also known as the great grey slug, they grow up to eight inches in length and are widespread worldwide. Take care keeping them with other species because they are carnivorous and will eat smaller slugs. These slugs may live for up to three years in captivity.
Black Slugs: They Change Color!
These slugs are invasive in many countries but are fascinating nonetheless. They reach up to six inches in length and change color throughout their lives. Younger black slugs are a rusty-brown color. They finally turn sable when they reach full maturity. It’s incredible to watch their life cycle in progress!
Yellow Slugs Can Reach Four Inches
This nocturnal species has a distinctive yellow coloring. Many people believe they are rarer than they are because they only emerge at night. They’re smaller than the previous species as they only reach about four inches long. Their facial tentacles extend and retract to sense their surroundings.
Kerry Slugs: Irish Slugs!
Kerry slugs take their name from County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland––just like the Kerry Blue Terrier! Unlike most slugs, there are efforts to conserve this species because of its rarity. Kerry slugs need very acidic soils with no calcium levels. They have an attractive speckled coloring and live in boglands and woods.
