The term 'slug' refers to a body type and not a group of closely
related animals. The slug form has evolved several times in both
land and marine molluscs. A Leopard Slug, Limax maximus
Photographer: Alan Henderson / Source: Museum Victoria Land
snails and slugs belong to the Phylum Mollusca, the second-
largest Phylum in the animal kingdom. They are all gastropods,
and the slugs are all included in the order Pulmonata. In slugs,
the shell that is so typical of most molluscs is lost or reduced
to a small remnant buried in the soft tissue. The long, soft
body of the slug is unsegmented and has tentacles on the head.
It is capable of occupying very small spaces. Distribution and
habitat Approximately 11 species of land slugs are found in
Victoria. Most are introduced from Europe, however two native
species, Cystopelta purpurea and Cystopelta astra, occur in
forest & woodland areas of Victoria. Slugs are generally found
in cool, damp situations, with the introduced species preferring
man modified areas, such as c