Florida Leatherleaf Slug

All creatures big and small ... and, God made slugs! This morning I found a Florida Leatherleaf Slug slithering across my walkway at the front of my Leesburg home. At first glance, this critter looked like small dog poop or perhaps a stogie! Before getting too close to it, I next thought millipede. As I focused my eyes further, I saw a slime path and two antenna and thought a snail that lost its shell.

Florida Leatherleaf Slug - Leesburg Florida

This is the first Florida Leatherleaf Slug (Leidyula floridana) I have seen here in Leesburg. What is curious about this species is that it does not have a slimy upper body but actually appears like a velvety suede fabric.

Florida Leatherleaf Slug - Leesburg Florida

Checking the University of Florida's website on this type of terresterial slug, the photo shows a lighter-colored slug as shown in Figure 17. A particularly interesting fact about the slug:

"Most slugs are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female sex organs. Thus, at least in some species, a single individual can inseminate another slug, can be inseminated by another, and can even inseminate itself!"

Florida Leatherleaf Slug Underside - Leesburg Florida

As I touched the Florida Leatherleaf Slug, it contracted to a rather compact shape. I then turned it over to have a look. You can easily see the genital pore, anal slit and foot. In the photo above, you can also see the mucus or slime secreted from this slug.

What to do with this type of slug? Reading more about it on the UF site, it seems this species is a pest to plants! I did find it heading towards my front yard garden although I'm not sure where it came from. It's possible Hurricane Irma blew it into my yard. One thing I know for sure is that I don't think I can ever order escargot again!