The organism that I have chosen lives on my property, it is the Leopard slug, the scientific name for this organism is Linus Maximus. Before writing this essay I must admit I had a lot of apathy towards this pest that lived in my yard. As I systematically exam this creature I found it remarkable; it demonstrated its exceptional ability to adapt. As an illustration the Leopard slug occupies nearly world-wide distribution through human activities.
The organism that I have chosen lives on my property in the central part of North Carolina it is the Leopard slug and appears quite at home here. For example, this summer was very hot and exceptionally dry and the Leopard slug was not seen. Apparently, when it is dry and hot in the Carolina's summer …show more content…
As a terrestrial slug it is a hermaphrodite. Its sex life is documented, even the BBC has made a documentary on the sex life of the Leopard slug. http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/Limaxmaximuscourtship.htm Since, the male genital is so large it must find a place of elevation , usually in a tree top. Not to mention, the penis of the animal is behind its head and due to the fact it enlarges up to three times of its body.This mating ritual last for approximately one hour their bodies entwined and when the process is over it drops to the ground, when ended both creatures are impregnated. After millions of years since being a sea creature the slug still retains the need of moisture barrier for homeostatic (Runnegar and Pojeta 1985) . An essential way that this organism evolved is its ability to stay hydrated. Since originally it has had gills, which developed into the lungs and a relatively complicated respiratory system. They evolved into an animal that must acquire oxygen easily, and with a respiratory hole, and a network of blood vessels this processed is accomplished. . Unfortunately, there is loss of evaporation in this process and as I previously mentioned the slug must have a certain amount of moisture in its body. One way the slug protects itself is the layer of slime that surrounds it. The slime actually attracts water and absorbs water very rapidly and guards against evaporation, this process is called hygroscopic. Slugs also use its slime as a slimy highway system.
The organism that I have chosen lives on my property in the central part of North Carolina it is the Leopard slug and appears quite at home here. For example, this summer was very hot and exceptionally dry and the Leopard slug was not seen. Apparently, when it is dry and hot in the Carolina's summer …show more content…
As a terrestrial slug it is a hermaphrodite. Its sex life is documented, even the BBC has made a documentary on the sex life of the Leopard slug. http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/Limaxmaximuscourtship.htm Since, the male genital is so large it must find a place of elevation , usually in a tree top. Not to mention, the penis of the animal is behind its head and due to the fact it enlarges up to three times of its body.This mating ritual last for approximately one hour their bodies entwined and when the process is over it drops to the ground, when ended both creatures are impregnated. After millions of years since being a sea creature the slug still retains the need of moisture barrier for homeostatic (Runnegar and Pojeta 1985) . An essential way that this organism evolved is its ability to stay hydrated. Since originally it has had gills, which developed into the lungs and a relatively complicated respiratory system. They evolved into an animal that must acquire oxygen easily, and with a respiratory hole, and a network of blood vessels this processed is accomplished. . Unfortunately, there is loss of evaporation in this process and as I previously mentioned the slug must have a certain amount of moisture in its body. One way the slug protects itself is the layer of slime that surrounds it. The slime actually attracts water and absorbs water very rapidly and guards against evaporation, this process is called hygroscopic. Slugs also use its slime as a slimy highway system.