to find their way home? its so nasty!!
2006-07-29 07:50:44 · 16 answers · asked by Caterina24 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Mucus
Slugs produce two types of mucus: one which is thin and watery, and another which is thick and sticky. Both are hygroscopic. The thin mucus is spread out from the centre of the foot to the edges. The thick mucus spreads out from front to back.
Mucus is very important to slugs as it helps them move around, and contains fibres which prevent the slug from sliding down vertical surfaces. Mucus also provides protection against predators and helps retain moisture. Some species use slime cords to lower themselves on to the ground, or suspend from them during copulation.
2006-07-29 07:55:53 · answer #1 · answered by izzieere 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All gastropods leave a trail because their skin is permeable and they are dependent on moisture outside of their bodies to be the same as inside. If a slug travels across enough dry ground they will dry up and die. The trail is their way of taking the required wet environment with them and they leave some behind as they travel. The slime layer under them also helps with motility.
2006-07-29 14:59:29 · answer #2 · answered by Perry L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I expect it is something to do with excreting a lubricant to help them decrease the friction with whatever they are travelling over so they go over it more easily.
2006-07-29 14:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by fieldmouse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A way of getting back at you for trapping them in your house!
2006-07-29 14:51:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So they can find the way back .
2006-07-29 14:56:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it glowes in the dark so they can find there way back home
2006-07-29 16:45:33 · answer #6 · answered by leslie w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so you can see exactly were they have gone through the garden and what plants they have had on the way....
go for the salt its cool!!!!
2006-07-29 14:54:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To stop my kids thinking they're winegums
2006-07-29 15:14:18 · answer #8 · answered by mikey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably so they can find they way back.
2006-07-29 14:53:34 · answer #9 · answered by Troubled son 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cool things happen to them when you put salt on their backs baby...
2006-07-29 14:52:49 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋