National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Lincoln Home National Historic Site Eyes of Abraham Lincoln
view map
text size: largest larger normal
printer friendly
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Mollusks
 
Nature and Science

Ecotarium Photo

Spotted Garden Slug -

When most people think of Mollusks in National Parks, Lincoln Home National Historic Site is not the first place that generally comes to mind. The Giant Clam of the National Park of American Samoa, the squid swimming off the shores of Dry Tortugas National Park in the Gulf of Mexico, or the Giant Pacific Octopus, which lurks in the cold Alaskan waters in Kenai Fjords National Park, are the more "glamorous" members of the phylum Mollusca. But here, nestled almost 1000 miles from the nearest marine ecosystem, a mollusk that can be found nearly worldwide makes its home. A native of Europe, the Spotted Garden Slug (Limax maxumus) makes its home in the midwestern urban environment of Lincoln Home. Though rarely seen during the day, early morning visitors to the Lincoln Home neighborhood will see the telltale slime trails the slug leaves behind, covering our brick paths and boardwalks.

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.

You will now be redirected to:

We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable.

Election Flag, 1864

Did You Know?
Lincoln insisted on having the 1864 election in the midst of war. "You can not have free government without elections...if the rebellion could force us to forgo a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us." Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois

Last Updated: July 30, 2006 at 15:58 MST