We had these guys in my last home area, Humboldt County in northern California - found one just outside our gallery/studio back door. People like them, far as I know.
These photos are from south of there, down in the Santa Cruz area, where the Banana Slug is the mascot for UC Santa Cruz.
This is from the Tucey Photography Blog about Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Santa Cruz:
http://www.tuceyphotography.com/blog/?p=122
Cindy posts:
Redwood forests are also home to the banana slug, which thrives in cool, moist conditions, such as those found in the Santa Cruz mountains. The banana slug is bright yellow and eats fungus, leaves, animal droppings, and decaying matter–recycling it into soil. It is the second-largest species of slug in the world, and can grow up to 10 inches long. The banana slug is not particularly fast, but can move up to 6.5 inches per minute. Its predators include raccoons, garter snakes, ducks, geese, and salamanders.
In the photo above, you can see the two pairs of tentacles. The larger, upper pair (called “eyestalks”) can detect light and movement. The banana slug retracts these when alarmed and to avoid damage. The lower pair of tentacles is used to detect chemicals. They have a single lung which opens externally to allow for gas exchange (note the lung in the photo above). During drier periods, the banana slug secretes a layer of mucus and insulates itself with soil and leaves, remaining inactive until the ground is moist again.
