The Stuff of Nightmares

The creature pictured above has recently been discovered in the gardens of Caerphilly & Cardiff. It's called a Ghost Slug.

Unlike other British slugs, this one is white instead of brown or black, doesn't have any eyes, lives underground and eats worms instead of plants. In fact, it eats worms by sucking them up.

The scientific name for this unusual invertebrate is Selenochlamys ysbryda, with the latter of the two words coming from ysbryd, Welsh for ghost.

Although this is a new species, it is similar to other slugs found in the countries of Turkey & Georgia. The Ghost Slug isn't a native species to the U.K.; the most likely explanation of their existence here is that of being brought over in plant pots.

This is exciting news. There is another species we know now, and, even if it's not in danger of dying out, we can still find ways to help it thrive.

Please comment.

Thank you.