About Ariolimax columbianus (A.Gould, 1851)
Ariolimax columbianus can grow up to 25 centimeters in length, which makes it the second largest terrestrial slug in the world. Its body is most often bright yellow, but it may also appear greenish, brown, tan, or white. This species commonly has black spots covering its tail; the spots are sometimes so extensive that the entire tail can look completely black. Individual Ariolimax columbianus can change their color in response to changes in their environment and their eating habits. These color changes can also indicate whether a slug is healthy or injured. Ariolimax columbianus is endemic to the Pacific Northwest, where it lives in forests stretching from the northern California coast to Alaska. It is the only member of the genus Ariolimax that is found outside of California. This slug occupies moist, damp areas of the forest floor.
