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Duffy · 07-21-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

July 16, 2008—A previously unknown species of meat-eating slug that sucks up earthworms like spaghetti has been discovered in Wales, scientists announced.

The so-called ghost slug—pictured above—first appeared in South Wales gardens in 2006, possibly after arriving as a stowaway in imported potted plants, said biologist Ben Rowson of National Museum Cardiff.

The nocturnal predator is armed with blade-like teeth (see inset) for slicing through animal flesh and can measure up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) long when stalking its prey, Rowson said.

"They engulf the worms piece by piece," the biologist noted. "One end of the worm will still be alive while the other is being gradually ratcheted into the slug by the teeth."

Rowson was part of the team that recently named the white carnivore Selenochlamys ysbryda—"ysbryd" being Welsh for "ghost." Its pale color and lack of eyes suggests the animal evolved underground, Rowson said.

The slug's origins remain a mystery, but the study team speculates that it may be native to deep caves found in Georgia, Armenia, or Turkey.

No one knows whether the spooky creature presents a serious threat to Britain's earthworms or other native animals.

—James Owen

I might die from waiting for it to crawl on my arm first.

BrendaMarie · 07-21-2008, 08:57 PM

I just hope that this doesn't start another thing like with the bees where they all start disappearing and thus harm agricultural production.

indian rep · 07-21-2008, 09:36 PM

:O I have a small doubt. If this worm will eat the flesh of any animal? That means it will also eat the flesh of Social animals like us? Lets hope this issue is not something too big as I have imagined.

mizz_juliee · 07-21-2008, 09:38 PM

its creeeepy loooking..
especially the teeeth... =P

HydroJohn · 07-23-2008, 12:06 PM

Where can all these slugs be found? I sure as hell hope there not in the UK, they slug pretty harmless though because you could just brush them of couldn't you?

JulieT · 07-23-2008, 04:18 PM

I wonder if anyone could find out how to get this slug to just eat fat. If so, it might be the newest craze and replace liposuction for getting rid of unwanted stomach fat. Sound good to me if it doesn't hurt. Ouch!

missytheresa · 07-23-2008, 10:45 PM

holy crap! thats just straight up scary! =P
the teeth are woahh!~ haha

ajcones · 08-12-2008, 11:57 PM

Well, there are some animals that environment might need them in order to balance the the food chain. But this something new and weird. A big possibility that this will eat not only worms in future but human as well once they will grow and multiply.

blaze · 08-13-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrendaMarie

I just hope that this doesn't start another thing like with the bees where they all start disappearing and thus harm agricultural production.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizz_juliee

its creeeepy loooking..
especially the teeeth... =P

You ladies better check under your beds later! the flesh eater is watching you, waiting to suck your blood!

Ezhel · 08-20-2008, 12:21 AM

it looks gross though, I wonder where can I find it and wanted to have some research for me to know the benefit of that slug,if only there was.

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Offtopic Forum

New Flesh Eating Slug!