Slugs - what ARE they made of?

[Minimammoth]

I have just picked one up urghh! And have washed my hands 4 times to get rid of the slime. Only dry wiping worked and I'm still not sure
They are aliens. Anyone know the science?

I'd also like to know what they're for.

No, but they seem to suck up water from around them.

I picked up 97 so far in last week and binned them, one was 9 inches long and I could see through it when I picked it up (bleurgh)

You must use gloves or yeuk!!!!

Mostly mucus, it seems! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slug

at the apophallation (chewing off each other's penises) - never knew that!

Euew. And to think all that is going on while you are picnicking in your garden. Also they are ENORmous this year.

We get humungous slugs here. Big fat mucus infested vileness bright orange and brown.

frazzle, they are to dispose of rotting vegetable matter - if it wasn't for slugs and snails, we'd all be wading through thigh-high compost! I still don't like them though. Our cat is quite fluffy and often brings in little slugs that have caught caught up in his furry trousers or his ruff and I hate having to pick them out of his fur.

Laura you picked up 97 one was 9 inches long . at that length you could train'em to pull the lawn mower.
Shall we have a competition?

Ah right!
I think I'd rather be wading through compost

Once I stepped on a slug. In the dark. Barefoot. It squelched between my toes.

They feed hedgehogs, thrushes & frogs.

Our fluffy cat also gets little slugs in fur (yuck).

I am sure you are right they have their place. Urghh not the squellching barefoot , and why do they sometimes sneak into the kitchen, isnt there plenty of detritus outside.
I wonder what they taste like? Especially those with the orange frill. Slug pate anyone.

Hugh FW tried to make a slug recipe, and gave up, as "nothing can hide the taste of slug"
That man eats anything so I presume they are totally inedible.
I stepped on a slug in my kitchen with my bare feet it was some time ago, but even the memory is awful!

Thank the lord they are not a metre long eh.?
Ok. Most imaginative ideas for a) slug deterrent b) recipe .

Put up a sign at slug-height:

"Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall: TV auditions".

Brilliant Duke, that should scare 'em.
How about slug pâté: using the ones from the beer teap acting as a marinade. mince finely, add herbs and cream. Press into a Bain Marie. Simmer for ooooooo days. Serve spread on toast with a sprig of parsley.

After you !

Ugh, A little bit of sick came up in my mouth then

I hate the dam things - I'm pretty sure all my slugs are alcoholic after all the beer I have left out for them - mind you they turn their noses (?) up at Fosters so at least they have some taste

I reckon they're made of snot.

Even snot has its uses......errrr. They actually are made of snot, though, it has those fabulous water absorbing properties, as we have been informed.
How about slug kebabs. Just pop on a skewer alternate with tomato, over the barbi and onto a bed of salad. Mmm

Evil. Pure, concentrated evil

Can you imagine the slug super hero, Slugman. Or is that too gross to contemplate. I wonder what his super powers might be tries not to think of penis eating habits

I went in my garden early this morning and killed 91 of the little feckers all on their merry way home to bed. 91

And it's not a big garden!!

Skink you have the slug cup this week. Respect.

Hope you have all had dinner...

When I was a young toddler, I apparently used to eat slugs! My mother used to have to throw away toothbrushes and my nappies were absolutely disgusting.

I did outgrown the habit