The giant pink slugs of Mount Kaputar

Everyone is used to seeing snails and slugs in many gardens and grassy habitats after rainy days. They are the most common problem for gardeners, as snails and slugs feed on a variety of plants. On the other hand, since prehistoric times humans worshiped snails, created snail-related art and consumed them, as well.  Although gastropods and humans have been coexisting for quite a while, some of them haven't been studied until recent times.

The pink slugs are quite large - 20cm in length and 4-6cm in width invertebrates that were discovered comparatively not so long ago on the peak of Mountain Kaputar, in New South Wales, Australia. Slug and snail researchers, known as malacologists, concluded that this new-found Australian giant pink slug represents its own species. This fact gives hope to discovering new and interesting creatures in our post-industrial reality with endangered species at endangered ecological areas.

Giant pink slugs in Australia belong to unique species found nowhere else on our planet.  Researchers discovered them to be endemic to the isolated mountaintop ecosystem, where those neon pink slimy creatures got to survive and remain alive to this day. Numerous giant slugs can be observed on Mount Kaputar, crawling up trees to feast on mold, moss and eucalyptus leaves. Undoubtedly they are very remarkable. Fluorescent pink bodies and cute white antennae make them very noticeable on brown tree trunks. Their bright color is considered to serve as camouflage. The giant pink slugs live in beds of red eucalyptus leaves and recycle plant matter thus playing an important role in the mountaintop ecosystem. It goes without saying, that any creature is unique and serves as priceless fauna heritage, which must be saved from extinction. Australian government has made an effort to protect this bright pink rarity and other species by creating comfortable mountain home for them in New South Wales.

Mount Kaputar is an explorer’s paradise. As you wander through the majestic forests, it is hard to believe that everything that thrives in the area is linked to volcanic activity. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars to enjoy watching fascinating giant pink slugs, unique birds and animals living a twenty-one million year old place.