I've just taken our compost to the communal bin and I saw under the lid a massive cream coloured with black spots slug type thing !!
I assume it was a slug, but I've never seen one like that before, ten minutes later, I am still squirming. Is this a native Swiss slug or has it come from some exotic country in someone's fruit/veg?
I mean, I am an animal lover, but that was just uuuurrrgghhh!

Salt sprinkled on slugs will do a mighty number on them!

But shut the lid and don't watch if you are squeamish.

Careful with some brightly coloured or vividly marked insects and squishy wriggly things - these tend to be poisonous (or pretending to be poisonous)

I'm sending hubby to the bin next time!

Slice them in half lengthways and fry them for 30 seconds each side in a very hot pan with a little ginger and squeeze on some lemon juice. It's a cheap and very nutricous alternative to scallops.

Was this it?

I'd say that sounds like a "Tigerschnegel". If so it's a native species but not very common. Grows to about four inches long, color variable (white/cream/brown) but always with the distinctive black spots.

Did you notice if the spots were sort of arranged in roughly longitudinal rows, especially at the back? If so that would confirm the identification.

Pictures here when you're feeling brave again

Incidentally, the Tigerschnegel was named Soft Animal of the Year* in Germany a few years ago. Think I'll stick to kittens!


*Okay, okay, Mollusk of the Year. I ask you though.

Identify your species here:

http://www.freewebs.com/worldofsnails/slugs.htm

When we lived near Baden, we had the common variety, the brown one.

Then we moved 40 kms south and I discovered the type you are talking about. I found them disgusting too .

According to my husband, they are protected. He could be wrong though, it wouldn't be the first time

Some people actually do eat slugs..I feel faint.....

http://rickshawunschooling.blogspot....-own-meat.html


That looks like it

I didn't hang around to admire its spots, but I would say it was a Tigerschnegel. I'm with you and the kittens MN.

Are you really GG or has st2lemans hijacked your account?

I had a look (am I crazy?) and it looks like the Limax Maximus, or rather the big brother of Limax Maximus.


I see a lot of the brown ones in the woods around here and thought they were disgusting. I now think they are rather appealing. Remind me never to move near you! Nothing personal.

They are all so cute, I don't know which one to get!

after going thru the posts I have decided not to move near Baden!

I wouldn't eat it:

Man battles for life after eating slug for dare

... German Name Tigerschnegel. There we are again.

I think you should befriend him, since he eats the bad brown slugs who like your salad. And their eggs.

He does?.

I thought they belonged to the same family, and ate the same things.

And there I was, blaming him for having my nicely planted row of boxes for breakfast.... I feel guilty now

I really wish I hadn't looked here whilst taking a bite out of my sandwich

It's not one of those sandwiches with a nice thick slice of juicy aubergine inside it, is it?

just had a salad and now feel