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Story: Snails and slugs

Large native slug

Image
Large native slug

Most native slugs are characterised by a leaf pattern on the outside of their bodies. This one, Athoracophorus giantea, is over 3 centimetres long – one of the largest species.

Using this item

Soil Bugs – An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Soil Invertebrates

Reference: IMGP2639.jpg

by Alastair Robertson and Maria Minor

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How to cite this page

Paddy Ryan, Snails and slugs – Flax snails, giant snails and veined slugs, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12861/large-native-slug (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 1 March 2009.