A) Slime plays a crucial role in the slug’s mobility, increasing traction and allowing it to stick to vertical surfaces.  
B) Slime contains an anesthetic that makes predators mouth go numb and drop the slug.  
C) Slime keep the skin moist and prevent the slug from drying out.
D)Slime trails contains chemical hormones that can be detected by other slugs to find a mate.  
E) Slime helps provide food for the slug. Needles and leaf fragments cling to the slug and the slime helps  slide it down the length of its body and gather near the slug’s rear end. The slug can then turn around and eat what has been collected.        

The correct answer: ALL OF THEM!   Their magic mucous consists of mucin proteins that form chains. Sugar molecules decorate the sides in repeating patterns, helping link the mucus together. The additional 96 percent of the substance is water. The slug does not waste any of its own water though, it has a novel adaptation where it dispenses dry granules of mucus which then absorb surrounding water from the environment. The granules can absorb several hundred times its water.   Love slugs, or hate slugs, these fascinating creatures are exquisitely adapted and play an extremely important role in their ecosystems.   Love them? Join a fellow slug lover on Wednesday,  July 1 , 2:30pm for a free virtual-learning program of a deeper exploration into the fascinating world of slugs and snails.   Hate them? Join us anyway…you just might change your mind 😊   Please respond to this email if you would like to attend. We’ll send you a link to the zoom call and information on how to connect.   Hope to see you there!