Slime in Nature

There are so many things that look like slime or feel like slime in nature.

SNAILS

Most often, when people think of nature slimes, they think of snails. Snail slime is actually mucus. The slime most associated with slugs and snails does a super important job. It helps these little guys move and groove. This slime has a glue-like quality which helps them move vertically without falling.

Did you know that snail slime has also been used to treat human skin injuries because of its healing properties? It’s also been used in cosmetics for its anti-aging properties.

THE SLIMY SALAMANDER

The Plethodon glutinosus is commonly called the slimy salamander for good reason. This far-out creature shoots toxic slime from its tail. It sticks to human skin and turns gnarly if you try to remove it.

Don’t worry. Retro slimes are non-toxic and easy to get off!

THE HAGFISH

Once in 2017, a truck carrying 7,500 pounds of hagfish tipped over on the freeway and left the street and a nearby car covered in thick sludge. These fish excrete slime that multiplies by 10,000 times in less than a second. Talk about radical!

SLIME MOLD

Most interestingly, slime actually is alive in nature. There are more than 900 species of mold that look like slime and can operate as a single-celled organism or can lump together to form reproductive “structures.” Foxy.

These molds and slimes are a lot like ours… kind of. They come in many different colors and shapes. But, ours won’t freak you out if you find it in your house, and they probably smell a lot nicer. We promise to never brand one as “dog vomit” either, unlike Fuligo Septica.

This blog reminded me of the after-school specials on TV. The More You Know!