Sep 6, 2020 · It’s common to see these slugs on the trail, on tree trunks, along ferns, and eating leaves and mushrooms as they help to decompose materials with up to 27,000 radula, or microscopic teeth! As decomposers, they help to return energy to the earth.

These ferns are epiphytes, meaning they attach to trees and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. They are native to tropical regions but are commonly kept as decorative plants in homes due to their striking appearance.

bait-plates to attract nearby banana slugs. Over a period of two years 150 individual Ariolimax columbianus weighing between 0.4 and 75.4 g were identified using photographs of the patterns on their maculated bodies.

Feb 17, 2015 · Below the majestic trees and prehistoric ferns that grace California’s redwood forests lives a weird and slimy creature: the banana slug. Named for their bright yellow color, banana slugs aren’t that different from the slugs you might try to keep out of your garden.

Jan 8, 2025 · Banana slugs are a curious and iconic sight in the damp forests of Silicon Valley’s Santa Cruz Mountains. Known for their bright yellow color and slow, slimy movement, these decomposers are often spotted gliding across the forest floor, especially after a good rain.

Slugs and snails are mollusks. Non-native slugs and snails damage plants in gardens and landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Native slugs (such as banana slug) and snails are not considered garden pests and may be left alone.

Feb 25, 2010 · California polypody is about the most common small fern around here, growing on shady rock faces. They often colonize a large area. Below you can see the sori bumps showing on the upper surface.

May 12, 2020 · While I was busy photographing the wood ferns, Brian spied a couple of critters. Banana slugs (Ariolimax columbiana) are one of our native slugs. They’re important decomposers, feeding mostly on forest duff.

Sep 27, 2023 · Banana slug for the win. One of the most iconic inhabitants of these forests is the banana slug, a large, bright yellow gastropod that serves as a critical decomposer, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients. My kids had a great time exploring the trails, playing at the amphitheater, and looking for critters near the creek.

Just a banana slug doing its thing, action packed