Q&A for How to Keep Garden Slugs as Pets

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  • Question
    Can slugs survive traveling in a car?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the temperature, and how long they are in the car for. Make sure they are in a container with moisture and dirt.
  • Question
    How can I find out my slug's age?
    Lucy Thurgood
    Top Answerer
    You can't; however, the general rule is: the smaller the slug, the younger it is.
  • Question
    How many times do I have to change the soil?
    Community Answer
    You don't have to change the soil at all. Just make sure to water it every other day to keep it damp.
  • Question
    Can I just pour a few drops of water on my slug?
    Community Answer
    You should most likely spray the ground of the tank that the slug is in to sustain moisture, but if it is not in a tank/container of some sort, you should put it in one to make sure it does not dry up and wither.
  • Question
    Can my slug be left alone in the house?
    Keet
    Community Answer
    Yes, but first, make sure he cannot escape and that he has enough food and water.
  • Question
    What should I feed them?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    They eat vegetation. Just don't give them plants with pesticides! Provide fresh and rotting (but no mold) for a variety. Also, slugs seem to especially like ripe/overripe tomatoes.
  • Question
    Can I take my slug out and play with it?
    Community Answer
    No, you shouldn't take your slug out and play with it because the natural salts that are on your hands can harm the slug.
  • Question
    I have a small layer of water on the bottom of my tank, and it turned the leaves yellow and made a film on top of the water. It also smells bad. Should I be worried for my slug?
    Community Answer
    No. Pour the water and the film on top, and the small layer out, then just put back your slug in and refill everything.
  • Question
    How should I pick up the slugs?
    Community Answer
    You can just gently pick them up between your fingers and place them on your palm.
  • Question
    I don't have a spray bottle; mine broke. Can I do something besides buying a new one?
    Community Answer
    This tactic is one my slugs like: take water from water bottles and gently drip a drops of water on them to keep them moist.
  • Question
    How often should I feed the slug?
    Clawthewolf
    Community Answer
    Try feeding it every day; make sure you are giving it the right amount of food. Make sure that it gets enough water as well.
  • Question
    How do I keep one alive?
    Community Answer
    Feed it and give it space to slug. Make sure not to leave slime on the floor.
  • Question
    Can I put a dim light?
    Community Answer
    You can, or you could also give the slug some light for a bit of the day, and then cover it .
  • Question
    How can you tell if your slug is unhappy?
    Community Answer
    It's a slug. It doesn't have emotions beyond hungry and dead. Just keep feeding it and providing it with space and things to climb on.
  • Question
    What if a slug escapes inside my home? How do I get it back?
    Clawthewolf
    Community Answer
    Try putting food like lettuce around your house. Then go out at night and try to find it.
  • Question
    Do they need companions?
    Community Answer
    They do not need companions.
  • Question
    Can I feed my slug leaves from outside?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as they are not dried out leaves.
  • Question
    How can I put a cover on the slug "cage"?
    Community Answer
    You can just use a tarp or sheet or plastic to cover the slug cage.
  • Question
    What about if I find one in the wild? Also, do slugs sleep?
    Community Answer
    Like all animals, slugs do sleep. You should not take an animal from the wild unless it is in danger. But garden slugs are very common and are not in danger of extinction, so it should be fine if you take care of one for about 2 to 3 days, then release it back outside.
  • Question
    How do I bury my slug?
    Community Answer
    Dig a small hole in the garden and place it gently inside. You could arrange it on a little leaf first if you need bier for it. Then hold a ceremony and cover gently with dirt. Your slug will decompose back into the soil and become part of a plant to let the circle go on.
  • Question
    Sometimes my slug doesn’t move, what does that mean?
    FoxieJViellaT
    Community Answer
    That it is probably sleeping or sunbathing because slugs do enjoy some sunlight, but not a lot because they can dry out.
  • Question
    I have got leaves, sticks, soil and rocks, but is there anything else I need in there? Can I keep it in the cage, but outside so it doesn't get free in my house?
    Clawthewolf
    Community Answer
    No, you do not need to put anything else in there, but be mindful of the fact that it might be hard for you to clean your slug's cage. And yes, you can put it outside.
  • Question
    Can I feed bananas to my garden slug?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. A slug's diet should include fruits and some vegetables, but if you are going to keep a garden slug, don't feed it too much fruit.
  • Question
    I have two slugs. They are in with 2 pill bugs. Will one species get hurt?
    Lucy Thurgood
    Top Answerer
    No.
  • Question
    Are there different types of slugs?
    Community Answer
    Yes! There are over 4,000 species of slugs and snails in the world.
  • Question
    Can slugs have grapes?
    Community Answer
    Slugs enjoy most fruits including grapes, but be cautious while feeding. The high sugar content of fruit can potentially kill your slug if fed too often! As a treat once in a while, it’s perfect.
  • Question
    Can I take a slug from the wild and keep in my homemade habitat and have it live for over a month?
    Community Answer
    As a retired owner of 3 slugs, I can’t promise a long lifespan. My first slug lived for quite a long time (over a month at least), while my second slug was very short lived. My last slug survived for around a month before passing.
  • Question
    Do I need to clean my slug's poo?
    Community Answer
    Empty all dirt and clean the tank thoroughly with water once every couple of weeks.
  • Question
    Can I play with my slug if I wash my hands really well?
    Community Answer
    Slugs don’t enjoy “playing” like other pets might. You may be able to keep it in your hands for short periods given you clean your hands well and don’t use soap. Taking the slug out of its enclosure can stress it out unnecessarily, so I don’t recommend it.
  • Question
    How long can a slug live?
    Anonymousfigure
    Community Answer
    Depending on its species, a slug can live for 1 to 5 years. Normally it will live longer in captivity.
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