Retford's Redwoods: October 2010

Thursday, October 14, 2010

October Update

The fourth graders at Empire Elementary are planning a fall trip to Big Basin State Park to see some of the oldest living things on our planet. Our trip is sponsored by the Save the Redwoods League, who know how important it is to truly experience these giants of California.

To prepare for our trip we are learning about Redwood Ecology through the California State Parks program PORTS. We are taking a virtual field trip next Tuesday to Humboldt State Park to learn about the producers, consumers, and decomposers that make the redwood ecosystem their home.

The Great Decomposer -- the Banana Slug

Along the coast, amongst the forest giants lives a large gastropoda, known as the Banana Slug. These large slugs can get as large as 12 inches. They are not always yellow, they can vary in coloration from yellow to slate green to white. These animals have a pnuemostone, which is a small opening which leads to a small lung. They can also breathe through their skin, so long as it remains moist. Their slime also serves as protection. It has an offensive taste to some predators. Banana slug slime also helps this animal move. The path it leaves behind helps other banana slugs make connections, which is very useful during mating season. Some their favorite foods are decomposing vegetation and fungus. They make a great dinner for garter snakes, ducks, geese, shrews, moles, crows and even salanaders. Racoons like to eat their slugs rolled in dirt to cut the slime.

Retford's Redwoods

Save The Redwoods League

Thursday, October 14, 2010

October Update

The Great Decomposer -- the Banana Slug

Banana Slug by Karen Retford