Florida Leatherleaf (Leidyula floridana)While the vast majority of land slugs and snails that many p
Florida Leatherleaf (Leidyula floridana)While the vast majority of land slugs and snails that many people are familiar with are in the order Stylommatophora, leatherleaf slugs (and pancake slugs) are in a different order. The order they are in is the order Systellommatophora. There are some key differences between these groups. Gastropods in the order Stylommatophora have the ability to invert their tentacles (turn them inside out when they retract) and they also undergo a process called torsion when they are embryos. Torsion results in the internal organs of the slug/snail getting twisted around, resulting in the anus being near the head. Systellommatophora slugs instead have their anus in the conventional place at the end of the body and they also lack the ability to turn their tentacles inside out. The Florida leatherleaf is a type of leatherleaf slug. These slugs are called leatherleaf slugs because they are leathery to the touch rather than slimy (an adaption that helps them avoid drying out). They also have a flattened appearance and the mantle runs the length of the body. Consequently, they look a bit like a leaf or a pancake.Etsy | DeviantArt | Instagram -- source link
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