Limax

Limax is a genus of large, air-breathing land slugs commonly referred to as garden slugs. They are terrestrial pulmonate gastropods found in Europe and western Asia, with several species introduced to North America and other regions. Members of this genus are typically elongated and soft-bodied, lacking a shell, with a mantle that partly covers the body. Size varies by species, with Limax maximus commonly reaching 10–15 cm in length. Coloration is variable, but many species display dark brown or gray bodies with patterned markings.

Habitat and behavior: They inhabit moist environments such as leaf litter, under logs, and gardens. They are mainly nocturnal, feeding on decaying plant material, fungi, mushrooms, and occasionally fresh vegetation. They require damp conditions to avoid desiccation and often congregate in moist microhabitats after rain.

Reproduction: Limax slugs are simultaneous hermaphrodites and typically engage in reciprocal mating to exchange sperm, followed by egg laying. They lay clusters of eggs in damp soil or under debris, with each clutch containing several dozens of eggs. Lifecycle includes hatching as juveniles that resemble small adults.

Species: Notable members include Limax maximus (the leopard slug), Limax flavus (the yellow slug), and Limax cinereoniger (the ash-grey slug).

Taxonomy: The genus is placed within the broader framework of land snails and slugs in the clade Eupulmonata; classification varies between sources regarding family assignment.