My New Zealand Mini Beast Report

We have been learning about mini beasts in class as part of our science topic. We have been creating information reports on a mini beast of our choice. The mini beast we chose had to live in New Zealand. Here is my writing. I worked with Sapphire.

The leaf veined slug

The Leaf Veined Slug   

The leaf veined slug is classified as a gastropod. (gastropods are invertebrates, they are cold blooded and are commonly known as slugs and snails). They are also known as Putoko ropiropi. The scientific name is athoracophoridae. They look like a leaf. They have a leaf pattern on their skin which gives them excellent camouflage. This slug is nocturnal. There are over 30 different species of the leaf veined slug. This slug can grow up to 60mm long. These slugs are poorly studied.

Where Do They Live

They live in wooded areas or in shrubs and inside rotten logs. They can also live in cavities bored by the pururi moth. They cluster around wet areas and small pools of water. They’re found throughout New Zealand/ Aotearoa.

What do they eat?

This slug is thought to feed of fungi and algae on top of leaves. The leaf veined slug doesn’t damage garden plants.

Reproduction

Some slugs are hermaphrodites, meaning they have

 tane (male) and wahine (female) reproduction organs. They need to mate in order to fertilise each other’s eggs. They are sometime found mating on top of leaves.

Social behaviour

Sometimes leaf veined slugs are found huddling together. They cluster around small pools and wet areas.

Threats

As far as scientists know koeko (birds) are their only threats. We need to make sure they have habitat to live it so they stay camouflaged so the don’t gain any more threats.

This was our information report about the leaf veined slug. I hope you learned something new about them. Please make sure to look after their habitat so they have food to eat and a place to stay.

By sapphire and Breanna