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Slugs and snails

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
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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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    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: 27,505
    But do you find snails nearby?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    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: 10,497
    This isn't something I've ever thought about. I'll add it to the list of things to investigate.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    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: 27,505
    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: 2,290
    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: 27,505
    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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