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Slugs and snails

B3B3 Posts: 25,155
in Wildlife gardening
I don't think I've even noticed them feasting on the same plant or lurking in the same hiding place.
Do they avoid each other?
In London. Keen but lazy.
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Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 2,924
    I suppose it depends which Slugs ?  I only seem to have the small ones which tend to work from below ground.  All the snails ( whilst happily hiding under pot rims, etc. ) seem to prefer working above ground.  Unless you can actually see either " at it " it would be difficult to know I'd imagine.
    Is there a visible difference in the slime trails each leave ?  I've absolutely no idea.  Are they into Integration / Community spirit ?  Again, no idea.  
    Perhaps @wild edges has some idea ?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Well, it's an interesting question.  My favourite friends, the Spanish slug are, apparently gregarious.  That is to say you tend to find them out in groups of anything between 3 and 40 or 50. I don't know by what mechanism they stay together or whether they have the capacity for preference as we understand it, but you never find just one.
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    But do you find snails nearby?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    I was up at 5 this morning so that I could ensure that my washing didn't miss the rain🙄.
    Anyway, there was a variety of slugs on the grass so I snipped the lot. There's not a sign of the bits now. Something has had them. Probably other slugs😛
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,330
    This isn't something I've ever thought about. I'll add it to the list of things to investigate.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 2,924
    Don't you have to leave some alive in order to conduct your research ?  Whilst you were out there, you should have gone foraging for a few Snails and put them together.  Little cage/box over the top to stop them escaping and then kept checking them to see if there was any socialising/rude gestures or WHY.
    Of course, you may have a better way to spend your time ??  :D  
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Snails are more random. I do find slugs and snails in the same place but I am not aware of any mutual recognition. What is 'rain'?
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    It's wet stuff that drops from the sky, just sufficient to wet your washing but insufficient to water your garden.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 1,670
    Just an hour ago, I went snail and slug hunting. I found them sharing the banquet; so I think they do peacefully coexist.
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    edited June 2022
    I'll have to be more observant, then. Not much use to gardeners even if they repelled each other. One or other would eat the plants anyway @Eustace
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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