The Mating Game by ShadowsNTime
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I took this picture because I had never seen slugs on a tree before. But then it occurred to me that the behavior was something I had not seen before either so I researched slugs and found that this is pre-mating ritual. Not my cup of tea but there are even videos of the research so for those who are interested in this aspect the video is here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtD5dxTcXm4
And this is what I read: Leopard Slugs have interesting mating habits. First, they will circle each other, before intertwining their bodies. They do this from a tree branch or near an edge. Next, the two slugs will fall from the branch and hang, suspended by mucus slime. After mating, since slugs are hermaphroditic, both slugs will be able to lay eggs.
Leopard Slug eggs are clear and laid in groups of over 100. New slugs will hatch the following Spring. Leopard Slugs typically live up to three years.
As these slugs hunt at night, they glide on a cushion of mucus slime. This slime leaves a trail, which slugs will use to return to the same feeding spot the next night.
Thanks for looking and for previous comments!

Comments (20)
Excellent capture, well done...
excellent macro Lynne
Interesting, i didn't know that... Good shot and well done! Can't wait to see more!!! BTW... Thanks for the comment, brightened my day!!! :)
EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Wonderful shot and interesting informations!!! :)
Wonderful capture of snail love!!!
GREAT SHOT!
nice clear shot Lynn. Interesting informations. I've never seen leopard slugs before. In France we have grey snails of Burgundy and they are delicious :-)
Very interesting, I had no idea! And this is a great capture :)
I have these all over the place, all kinds, and it seems like they're ALWAYS doing something like this---not a pretty sight!! lol
LOL @ my Alex, sorry, I knew you wouldn't like this one:-)
I can tell from the slime trails whether it's slugs or snails..... the latter appear to HOP, as they leave a broken trail!!
Ick...something about slugs is just repulsive to me...but this is a great shot, amazing detail!
slugs aren't my cup of tea, either, but that is a nicely detailed shots of them and their behavior.
Great shot Lynn+Alex. And a nice and interesting documentary on those funny animals. Sniffing each other's behind.... almost human behaviour..haha. Cool and funny research. +5
Excellent capture and facts about the snails. Here we are lucky, it's quite dry and it is rather a peculiar sight to see one.
Fantastic capture and splendid commentary of the scene !!! Very nice !!! 5+++++++
Fantastic macro.
Gee, that's rather disgusting...
they look more interesting than our slugs lynn :o)..nice bit of research aswell .excellent mick