User:Dfdavid/Philomycus carolinianus

Philomycus carolinianus, also known as the Caroline mantleslug, is a species of land slug. It is a terrestrial gastropod mollusk in the family of Philomycidae.

Anatomy
The Carolina mantleslug is approximately two inches long in body length. They have a very complex set of organ structures. The Carolina mantleslug has a radula in their mouth. A radula is a flexible, ribbonlike structure that is lined with many rows of teeth. These teeth are exceptional at scraping food from plants. The Carolina mantleslug also has tentacles at the top of their head. These tentacles have an eye at the very tip. They are usually tan or brown in color and they are covered in spots. Their mantle also covers the entire doral surface. Slugs that are within the Philomycidae family possess a large shell sac which is usually empty.

Diet
The Carolina mantleslug prefers a moist environment that is full of frees. Unlike most slugs, they do not invade gardens. The Carolina mantleslug is often observed eating fungi as well as lichen during night. They are nocturnal, so they mostly are active during right and eat during the night as well. The Carolina mantleslug are important in the decomposition of organic materials. They feed on a lot of decaying and decomposing organic materials. They also consume mushrooms, lichen, lettuce, algae and other organic matter.

Ecology
The Carolina mantleslug is very common in swamps that are located along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts as well as in floodplain woods on the piedmont and interior of the continent. They prefer moist and deciduous woodland habitats. Unlike most slugs, they do not invade gardens. They are mostly found in low lit areas, as they prefer wetter environments. They are normally found in heavily wooded areas, and on occasion will forage out in the open. They can also be active during cloudy conditions. The biology and life history traits of the Carolina mantleslug are poorly known.