Hedgehog Slug - Arion intermedius

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Description

A small slug, only 15-20mm when extended. Usually pale brown with a darker longitudinal stripe along the body that reaches to the mantle. The sole is coloured pale yellow by the mucus. It is best recognised by the coarse tubercles that contract to ragged points (hence the common name Hedgehog Slug).

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

 

Habitat

Very catholic and found in many different habitats.

When to see it

All year

Life History

It feeds on dead plant material and fungi and lives for up to a year. Not considered a pest species.

UK Status

Widespread but uncommon.

VC55 Status

Uncommon.

  • David Nicholls
    Bardon Hill
    04 November 2019
  • David Nicholls
    GU Canal, Watermead CP
    23 February 2023
  • David Nicholls
    Willoughby Waterleys, east
    21 April 2021
  • David Nicholls
    Charley Woods
    24 March 2018
  • Saharima Roenisch
    Woodhouse Eaves, Beacon Hill Country Park
    03 May 2019
  • David Nicholls
    Bardon Hill
    04 November 2019

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Hedgehog Slug
Species group:
Slugs & Snails
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Pulmonata
Family:
Arionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
47
First record:
14/09/1985 (Rundle, Adrian)
Last record:
02/08/2023 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    Fosse Meadows, Sharnford
    05 April 2018
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    25 April 2018
  • David Nicholls
    Charley Woods
    24 March 2018
  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Wood
    26 March 2018
  • David Nicholls
    GU Canal, Watermead CP
    23 February 2023
  • David Nicholls
    GU Canal, Watermead CP
    23 February 2023
  • David Nicholls
    Cademan Wood
    09 March 2022