Red triangle slug

This slug species is native to the east coast of Australia, where it ranges from New South Wales to Queensland. A closely related and brightly colored pink form, referred to as Triboniophorus aff. graeffei, is found only on Mount Kaputar in New South Wales. In 1959, malacologist Alan Solem suggested the species might have been introduced to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), although no specimens were available to confirm this at the time. ==Habitat==

Red triangle slugs are found in damp situations in various habitats, including city gardens, forests, woodland and heaths. ==Life habits==

, on the trunk of a Sydney blue gum, near Dungog, Australia|left These slugs feed by grazing on algae that grow on the smooth bark of certain eucalyptus trees and on nearby rocks. Occasionally, they make their way into houses, One of the most fascinating features of this species is its unusual defense mechanism. When threatened, the slug can release a special kind of sticky mucus, not the usual slippery slime used for movement. This adhesive secretion is strong enough to trap predators for days. Interestingly, the mucus works best in wet conditions and gradually loses its stickiness as it dries. The cells responsible for producing this glue-like substance are spread across the slug’s upper surface (dorsal side). ==Description==

Red triangle slugs are easily recognized by their two tentacles; unlike many other slugs, they don’t have four. Like other leaf-vein slugs, they also have a distinctive indented pattern on their back that resembles the veins of a leaf. These slugs can grow up to 14 centimeters in length. They are highly variable in color. Individuals can appear white, off-white, yellow, light or dark grey, beige, pink, red, or olive green. Scientists are currently studying whether some of these different color forms might actually belong to separate species or subspecies. ==Gallery==

Various shots of Triboniophorus graeffei on the bark of Sydney blue gums, near Dungog, Australia, showing color variation, varying degrees of contraction and body shape. File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Dungog7.jpg|Close-up of a pale pink individual with the pneumostome open and a narrow body, tentacles fully extended File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Dungog1.jpg|An off-white individual with a very pale "red triangle" File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Dungog2.jpg|A beige individual with a very wide body and a pale orange "triangle" and foot edge. Tentacles partially retracted File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Chatswood West.jpg|Two individuals of the green form of Triboniophorus graeffei, in the forest in Chatswood West, New South Wales. The slug on the right is starting to become active, the other is in the contracted state. File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Dungog4.jpg|Two individuals, one fully contracted and with pneumostome closed File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Dungog5.jpg|Same two individuals from the side showing the body shape in profile File:Triboniophorus graeffei - Dungog6.jpg|Same two individuals, the previously contracted one has retreated to a less exposed position among old flakes of bark File:Triboniophorus graeffei juvenile.jpg|Juvenile Red Triangle Slug on moist Hawkesbury Sandstone, Chatswood West, Australia ==References==