Northern Dusky Slug
While loading up my blue canoe for a paddle and a picnic I noticed a peculiar and rather slimy stowaway. This Northern Dusky Slug was sliming his way up the canoe with no intention of leaving. This slug was around two and a half inches long and was a yellowish, greenish, and brownish color mix which made him very visible against the blue canoe. I wondered how long he'd be able to hold on throughout the drive to the launching point... Never fear, I did not put my cruel thoughts to the test. I carefully removed the slug and placed him in a habitat where he could live a more fulfilling life- though unable to sail the seven seas. The Northern Dusky Slug is one of many slugs in the Dusky Arion family. These slugs are found throughout North America and, "primarily on fungi and decaying plant matter, but have also been known to consume animal feces, injured or dead insects, and algae. Because they must avoid drying out in order to survive, they are most active at night and can be found in moist leaf litter or vegetation"(Galloway). Southeast Alaska is a perfect place for slugs. It's moist and rich in vegetation for snacking on and they fill an important role in a rainforest ecosystem in helping break down plant matter. The rainforests of Alaska might be too good, though. An influx of invasive black slugs has been plaguing Alaskan gardeners and threatening to overrun populations of native slugs like the banana slug due to their ability to lay up to 150 eggs every couple of weeks(Lavrakas). The handsome yet slimy slug atop my canoe was not the invasive black slug, but perhaps if it was I wouldn't have spared him.
Works Cited
Galloway, Hazel. “Dusky Arion.” Dusky Arion | Mountain Lake Biological Station, U.Va., 28 June 2013, mlbs.virginia.edu/organism/arion_subfuscus.
Lavrakas, Dimitra. “It’s No Fun Getting Slugged in Southeast Alaska.” Juneau Empire, 21 Aug. 2023, https://www.juneauempire.com/life/its-no-fun-getting-slugged-in-southeast-alaska/. Accessed 27 Sept. 2023.
Comments
I rarely see slugs in my backyard. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, I found a slug on my sister's tomato plant; that was the first slug I've seen in years. The only pests I get are shrews; they come very winter a jump scare me. Those little pests will come right up to you and ask how you're doing like you're in their house. I didn't know we had invasive slugs in Alaska. To be honest, I never really understood how slugs live up here during wintertime, so it was shocking to hear that we had an invasive species of slug. The slug in your photo looks bigger than any of the slugs I've seen; the ones I see are small. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing your observation this week, and I can't wait to see what's next.
Hi Jillian!
First of all, I think it is awesome that you go out on kayak picnics. My adventurous soul longs for a kayak but I haven't got around to saving enough money for one. Thank you for observing such an interesting creature. I am not the biggest fan of slugs or any ooey gooey creature, but there is beauty in the complexity of all creatures. It is a little disturbing that they eat other dead animals and feces, but it just goes to show that nature does not waste. I wonder if all slugs are more active at night or if it is just the Dusky slugs? I don't recall seeing too many slugs moving in the daylight, so I imagine it is common for a lot of slugs. It's a bummer about the invasive slugs!
Thanks! Lera
Hi Jillian;
I love banana slugs in their varying colors of white, yellow, and brown, although they might be all in the Dusky Arion family, and your little fellow was particularly a Northern Dusky Slug. When I first saw them, I thought, "Yep, everything grows bigger in Alaska." Funny, I have sat down on a tree stump, waited, and watched as slugs have journeyed across the trail. I am thankful you moved him to a safe place.
I recently read an article on the black slugs. I guess they are easily identifiable by the ridges on their back and their absolute black color. I have been keeping my eye out for them so I can remove them. I would probably take it to the Fish and Game Department and let them decide what to do with it. I would like to see one, and from what I've heard, it won't be long before I do. Invasive species are becoming a daily phenomenon that, even now, our State Government is stepping up and trying to be more proactive.
Thanks for your observation of one of my favorite life forms in Alaska.
Gayleen
Thanks for another entertaining Journal post, Jillian! Also, I was particularly pleased with your source choice of the "Juneau Empire!"
Great work on your MLA formatting! I'm impressed with how everyone is working on their MLA format and getting more and more accurate each week! One small thing I'll draw your attention to is that you did not include your "Accessed" date information for your first source, and that should have been included.
Best,
Prof Brooke
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