Pacific Banana Slugs (Ariolimax columbianus), or Joumash in the Wiyot language, are an iconic species of the redwood forest. Of the 4 species of banana slug, ours is the most common and least threatened.
While species in the Bay Area can take on the hue of a bright yellow banana, Pacific banana slugs can look decidedly overripe with brown spots and a duller yellow color. They are also the second-largest species of slug in the world!
Banana slugs are hermaphrodites, and reproduce by exchanging sperm with another individual. Check the link in our bio for a cool banana slug video!
Photos: Natalie McNear on Flickr, Frank Fogarty on iNaturalist
Sources: Wikipedia – Banana slugs; Deep Look – Secret of the Slime