Ghost Slug - Description and Ecology

Description and Ecology

This slug can reach 6.4 cm (2.52 in) in size, with its body extended. It has no eyes, and is white in colour. It is nocturnal and burrowing, and unlike the majority of slugs, it is a carnivore, feeding on earthworms at night using its blade-like teeth. Both the mantle and the breathing hole are found at the tail end of the body. The species was unknown to science prior to 2006.

Because of the slug's white colour and nocturnal habits, and because it has been so rarely seen, it was given the species name ysbryda, the word "ysbryd" meaning ghost in the Welsh language. This in turn gave rise to the common name, "ghost slug". This appears to be the first case of a species name having been taken from the Welsh language.

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