Keeled Slug - Tandonia sowerbyi

Up to 75mm extended, this brown slug has a long keel from the tip to the mantle. It has a tall, triangular cross-section and when contracted the keel stands out and is wrinkled - like a 'cornish pasty'. The keel is usually a lighter colour than the body, often a dull orange. The sole is uniformly pale, lacking the dark central stripe of T. budapestensis. It also has a pale rim around the breathing pore.

It is very similar to Tandonia budapestensis, but it lacks the dark sole stripe of this species.

• long keel from tip to mantle, usually dull orange
• sole uniformly pale without a dark central stripe
• pale margin to the breathing pore
• raised, wrinkled keel when contracted

This species has a red ID rating and unless identified by a known expert you must provide a satisfactory explanation of how it was identified for the record to be accepted.

Most lowland habitats, including gardens.

All year.

Widespread and common.

Uncommon or under-recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Most Leicester records shown on the map are from the 1980's.