ADULTS: Slugs are hermaphrodites—every slug is born with both male and female reproductive parts and any slug is capable of laying eggs, though self-fertilization can occur.
Amorous Acrobatics. Slug slime also spurs romance. Slugs are all hermaphrodites and can fertilize themselves, but they can mate, too. By releasing pheromones into their slime, slugs indicate a readiness to mate—and some make quite a spectacle of it.
During copulation, slugs exchange spermatophores, which are specialized packages containing sperm. These are transferred from one slug to another through their genital openings. After the sperm exchange, the slugs will separate and eventually lay their eggs, resulting in a new generation of slugs.
Slugs are hermaphrodites, having both female and male reproductive organs. Once a slug has located a mate, they encircle each other and sperm is exchanged through their protruded genitalia.
They lower themselves on a mucus rope, while entwining their bodies in a strictly anti-clockwise fashion. Both slugs then push out and entwine two overly-sized penises from openings on the side of their head, before exchanging sperm that may later fertilise each of their eggs. Or, perhaps be eaten.
As the slugs dance they eventually intertwine and become excited. Both slugs insert their penises into the other slugs genital opening and take turns transferring sperm from one to the other. After much wriggling about and tugging the slugs separate and find an appropriate place to lay eggs.
Their penises begin to entwine, sort of like a big, external French kiss. And when fully engaged, they blossom into a kind of slimy florette that glows a soft blue, during which the slugs exchange sperm (which is what you're seeing here).
The pregnant slug will then lay 3-50 eggs in a safe and secluded place. In just 1-2 months, the babies will emerge, looking like any other slug, although often a paler color, and growing quickly to their maturity in just a few months.
It takes about a year for slugs to mature into adults, which can live for about two years. Slugs can be serious garden pests, eating seedlings, plants and fruit and vegetable crops.
Courtship can and usually does last for several hours. The two individuals get into position along the periphery of an imaginary circle with their heads towards the other's tail, and circle one another.
Some slugs lay up to 500 eggs per year, which mature in three to six months and start laying eggs themselves. Left unchecked, that's hundreds of new pests each year, multiplied by every slug or snail in your garden.
Apparently, while most leopard slugs will amicably go their own way after mating, some break the rules, biting off their partner's genitalia, dropping to the ground, and eating them.
Biology of slugs and snails
Mating usually takes place from mid-autumn to mid-winter when favourable moist conditions return after summer. Two to four weeks after mating, spherical pearl-white eggs are laid into moist soil. Egg laying can continue from the break of the season to late winter.
They are coated with a slimy substance that is slightly gummy. The eggs are gelatinous and of no perfect shape. Sometimes they are laid on vegetation but usually are harder to spot when laid on soil. Look for brownish-gray, slimy bundles when identifying eggs of slugs or snails.
Slugs and snails hide in damp places during the day. They stay under logs and stones or under ground cover. They also hide under planters and low decks. At night they come out to eat.
If you are looking for an unusual pet, a slug is a great choice. Caring for slugs is easy for both older and younger kids, and it helps them gain responsibility. Slugs can be kept in an aquarium, where they feed off plants such as fruits and vegetables.
Don't eat raw or undercooked snails or slugs, frogs or shrimp/prawns. If you handle snails or slugs, wear gloves and wash your hands. Always remember to thoroughly wash fresh produce.
Slugs and snails lay their eggs in moist soil or compost. Their populations can grow rapidly in cool and moist conditions.
Slugs lay around 40 eggs and snails around 60 eggs up to six times a year. They hatch as soon as the temperature is over 5C. Because they're so slimy they're relatively unpopular with predators.
Yes, it's true! Although this extended nap may sound appealing at first, it is actually caused by less-than-ideal conditions. Why Do Snails Sleep So Long? Snails need moisture to survive; so if the weather is not cooperating, they can actually sleep up to three years.
Slugs will sleep on and off for several hours at a time but then might stay awake for 30 hours without a break. Slugs may also hibernate, depending on the weather conditions. They will stay active when temperatures remain above 5 degrees Celsius / 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Slug mites are very small (less than 0.5 mm in length), white, and can be seen to move very rapidly over the surface of their host, particularly under the shell rim and near the pulmonary aperture.
Snails may have opioid responses and mussels release morphine when confronted with noxious stimuli. Both reactions suggest that these animals do, in fact, feel pain. While mollusks don't have brains per se, they do exhibit some nervous system centralization. They have several pairs of ganglia connected to a nerve cord.
On doing a little research, I discovered that this blob of jelly was in fact two slug penises, entwined! Slugs are hermaphrodite and they impregnate each other through this method and then retract their penises, laying eggs a couple of weeks later.