Cardiff University - This slug has no need for lettuce

June 11, 2009

A flesh-eating slug discovered by scientists at Cardiff University has been named by New Scientist magazine as one of the ten strangest species identified in recent years. Bill Symondson, faculty member of the Cardiff School of Biosciences, first encountered the creature in 2007 when a member of the public brought an example to the university. Completely white and blind, the slug lives underground and is capable of extending its flexible body down worm holes to catch its earthworm prey. It has blade-like teeth, which it uses to drag victims into its mouth. Dr Symondson said: "It's excellent that this strange beast has attracted such wide interest and highlights the fact that extraordinary wildlife is not only found in remote tropical jungles, but can also be discovered in people's back gardens."

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