Limaces

Limaces is a term derived from the French word for slugs. In a biological context, it refers to gastropod mollusks belonging to the order Stylommatophora, characterized by the absence of a shell or a significantly reduced internal shell. Unlike their shelled counterparts, snails, slugs have a soft, elongated body that secretes mucus to aid in locomotion and protect them from desiccation. They are found in a wide variety of habitats worldwide, including gardens, forests, and even deserts, and are typically nocturnal, emerging to feed during damp conditions.

Slugs are primarily herbivores, consuming a diet of plant matter, fungi, and decaying organic material. This feeding behavior can sometimes lead to them being considered pests in agricultural and horticultural settings, as they can damage crops and ornamental plants. However, they also play an important role in ecosystems as decomposers and as a food source for various animals, such as birds, hedgehogs, and beetles.

Reproduction in slugs often involves hermaphroditism, meaning individuals possess both male and female reproductive organs. They typically lay eggs in moist, sheltered locations, such as under logs, stones, or leaf litter. The lifecycle and specific characteristics can vary significantly among the many species of slugs, which are diverse in size, color, and habitat preference.