Nature & Environment
Rare, Bizarre Pink Slugs Found in Australia (Video)
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: May 31, 2013 10:20 AM EDT
Strange things seem to be cropping of in parts of Australia. Residents have spotted pink slugs slinking through the dew-dampened peak of Mount Kaputar in New South Wales, which scientists say is where people can see some of the most colorful inhabitants on the planet-including these fluorescently pink creatures.
Michael Murphy, a ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said he was one of the first to see the creatures, according to The Daily Mail, which was only recently identified.
"Giant pink slugs are about 20 cm long (7.8 inches), only found on top of Mount Kaputar," said Murphy in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation, via treehuger.com. "On a good morning, you can walk around and see hundreds of them, but only in that one area."
He also added, "As bright pink as you can imagine, that's how pink they are," according to treehuger.com.
The Office of Environment and Heritage describes the area that is home to slugs as an "explorers paradise." The website also notes that the bioregion consists of various animals, including 35 native mammal species, over 185 birds, several lizards and many other creatures.
And, of course, the area is also famous for its pink slugs, noting that the following:
"Although little research has been done on invertebrates in Mt Kaputar National Park, the park is renowned for the large pink slugs in its subalpine area. The pink slug can be seen after rain on rocks, trees and amongst the leaf litter. Its bright colour is believed to be a form of camouflage as it matches the fallen red leaves of the eucalypts."
Want to see this guys slug by? Check out this video, courtesy of YouTube.
See Now:
NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone
©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
More on SCIENCEwr
First Posted: May 31, 2013 10:20 AM EDT
Strange things seem to be cropping of in parts of Australia. Residents have spotted pink slugs slinking through the dew-dampened peak of Mount Kaputar in New South Wales, which scientists say is where people can see some of the most colorful inhabitants on the planet-including these fluorescently pink creatures.
Michael Murphy, a ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said he was one of the first to see the creatures, according to The Daily Mail, which was only recently identified.
"Giant pink slugs are about 20 cm long (7.8 inches), only found on top of Mount Kaputar," said Murphy in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation, via treehuger.com. "On a good morning, you can walk around and see hundreds of them, but only in that one area."
He also added, "As bright pink as you can imagine, that's how pink they are," according to treehuger.com.
The Office of Environment and Heritage describes the area that is home to slugs as an "explorers paradise." The website also notes that the bioregion consists of various animals, including 35 native mammal species, over 185 birds, several lizards and many other creatures.
And, of course, the area is also famous for its pink slugs, noting that the following:
"Although little research has been done on invertebrates in Mt Kaputar National Park, the park is renowned for the large pink slugs in its subalpine area. The pink slug can be seen after rain on rocks, trees and amongst the leaf litter. Its bright colour is believed to be a form of camouflage as it matches the fallen red leaves of the eucalypts."
Want to see this guys slug by? Check out this video, courtesy of YouTube.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone