Discovery of the Banana Slug Habitat

Last weekend I participated in a four day intensive training on Inka mysticism in Saratoga, CA.  The workshop was to prepare a group of us for a two week trip we will be taking to Peru later this summer to participate in Hatun Karpay, the Great Initiation of the Inkas.  A large part of the workshop entailed learning about the local nature spirits - how to evoke them and make offerings to them.  At one point we were asked to search the forest for a water "khuya", or power object.  I walked into the forest and down toward Todd Creek, the stream that runs through Sanborn Park.  While walking down a steep embankment toward the streem, I came across the large yellow slug.  I have never seen a slug like this before, yet intuatively I know this must be called a banana slug.  Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me at the time so I was not able to take a picture of my discovery in the forest.  I continued the search for my khuya and was hopeful that the slug would be here when I could return with my camera. 

The next day I traveled back to the same spot, hopeful that I would find the slug again.  Indeed, the slug was about two feet from where I saw it the previous day.  Through research on the Internet I discovered from Donna Hill that the habitat of the banana slug is forest floors on the West Coast of North America ranging from California up to Alaska.  One of their favorite foods is mushrooms - which makes a lot of sense given the ecosystem that they live in.  To prevent themselves from drying out during long dry periods, slugs estivate, which is like hibernation except it occurs during hot dry spells. They become inactive, secrete a mucous shield and insulate themselves with a layer of soil and leafy debris. 

I am thankful for the opportunity provided by the slug for me to get to know this creatures ecosystem.  It has a lovely, peaceful and serene home. 

Comments

[bob]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MelbaChristian]

I guess that to get the personal loans from banks you should have a great motivation. Nevertheless, once I have received a short term loan, just because I was willing to buy a house.

[Daisy]

cool picture.my friend is going to peru.he will spaz

[free dental care]

The banana is a fruit of tropical origin most consumed in the world, contains a high energy value and may consist of vitamins B and C, as minerals, including iron, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, also referred to as a banana or plantain widely consumed fruit worldwide.

[Bella]

Thanks for the info!Hey, I needed it... i'm doing a habitat project and i need as much as i CAN! i need habitat,behavrial characteristics,PHYSYCAL characterisitics and other info so GIMMIE ALL YA GOT! ( besides it yellow and shaped like an old,slimy banana*)

[haley]

thank you for backing me up whoever you are!ANYWAY!I heard that if you lick a slug your tongue will go numb and puff up! do u think that's true?

[jojo]

guys im sorry and i fell bad about thet commet i just think haley is right POEPLE NEED MORE INFORMATION FROM HALEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jojo]

nobody ever answerd my commet what am i am i dum

just telling poeple i dont have anger issue problemms and i live in cananda i can track you down just kidding you know what i have freinds and they are cool

now sombody better answer my commet

im just kidding about alll that im a realy nice person from the inside and i love nature so i live banana slugs and every other living thing on it

[haley]

peple need MORE information !

from 30year old haley

[jojo]

banana slugs are cool dudeet im like 30 and i want to lick 1 wut shell i do?

[Shinan Barclay]

What a great, rich blog. I stopped by for banana slugs[my co-habitants here in the Oregon Coast rainforest] and came away with connection, inspiration and awe.
I'm compiling an anthology "Rainmakers Prayers, Align with Global Harmony," lots in common here. thanks!

[Dave]

Nice slug! Found you on COS!