I know PZ has recently posted a picture and a video of slugs mating. But these pictures were taken here in North Carolina, by blog reader Kris Barstow, who says:
The year was 1999 plus or minus a year, the site was a few miles from Asheboro, NC. I don't recall the season, but it was warm, and there is definitely a chill there in the cold seasons, so I assume spring or summer. It was about half an hour after sunrise; I was walking my dog. I would occasionally carry my camera "just because ..."I saw these two acting strangely on the surface of the wooden shed. They actually attached themselves, then went into freefall. They twined around each other, and then a moist pouch was extruded below them. White froth was present but in moderation.
I don't recall what exactly happened after that. They remained suspended for some time, and the likeliest thing is that I left them to their passion.
So, can someone identify the species?
Life Science
Comments
How big are they? Limax maximus mates dangling from a mucous thread like that. Adults are about thumb sized.
Posted by: MattK | May 6, 2009 8:23 PM
I would have pegged them as Limax maximus because of that acrobatic behaviour. Haven't seen them that colour before so they may be something else. The ones I see in my garden here in southern Australia are usually more grey and black.
Posted by: Snail | May 6, 2009 11:43 PM