2025-04-30T15:11:12Z

Madilynl:

[[ File:Earwig_.jpeg (554 × 554 pixels, file size: 45 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg]]
== Description ==
Forficula Auricularia, the common earwig, has a smooth and slender flat body with a beadlike antenna. Earwigs have two leathery tergites which can hide wings on some species, and two large pincers at the abdomen tip (modified cerci that act as a repellent for predators. The shape and size of these pincers help identify male earwigs; however, female earwigs' pincers do not vary as much.

The most common earwig is the European earwig with a reddish-brown color, functional wings and can fly. These earwigs have teeth at the base of their cerci which can help you distinguish them from other species of earwigs. These [[insects]] can grow to ¼ to 1 ¼ inches –it varies based on species. Half of the 30 species of Earwigs in North America are invasive. [1]

== Taxonomy ==
'''Kingdom:''' Animalia
'''Phylum:''' Arthropoda
'''Class:''' Insecta
'''Order:''' Dermaptera
[2]
== Habitat and Feeding Habits ==
Earwigs like moist, cool, dark places. You will likely find them under bark, stacked lumber, bundles of newspaper, rocks, leaves, etc. Earwigs with wings are often attracted to lights during the evening.
Most earwigs are scavengers, preying on smaller [[invertebrates]] and chewing on living and dead plants. Some earwigs, like the native ring-legged earwig, are predators and enjoy preying on aphids, caterpillars, [[termites]], [[slugs]], and other smaller invertebrates. [1]

== Life Cycle ==
Earwigs undergo an incomplete metamorphosis. Typically living for 1-3 years, the earwigs grow from an egg to a nymph to an adult in 1-4 months, depending on the temperature. Earwigs will mate in autumn and stay together through the winter into the spring. Once they mate, the male leaves and the female lays up to 80 eggs. After earwigs lay their eggs, they tend to the nest, cleaning and defending it, eventually taking over the motherly role of feeding their young after they hatch. The mother stays until they have their first molt, and then they go through 5 or 6 more molts before becoming adults. [3]

== References ==
1. Earwigs. Missouri Department of Conservation. (n.d.). https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/earwigs

2. Order dermaptera - earwigs. BugGuide.Net. (n.d.). https://bugguide.net/node/view/2709

3. Earwigs. Defense Pest Control. (n.d.). https://www.defensepestcontrol.com/learning-center/earwigs/#:~:text=These%20pests%20are%20brown%20or,4%20months%2C%20depending%20on%20temperature.

2025-04-01T03:03:33Z

Madilynl: Created page with "Limax maximus, more commonly known as leopard slugs or the great grey slug, are one of the largest domestic slugs, right behind the great black slug. The leopard slug is a part of the keeled slug family – the Limacidae family. == Description == Adult slugs measure between 4-8 inches in length. They generally have light gray or gray-brown skin with dark spots or blotches. Each variation of patterns varies per slug. Their body is rounded with a short keel on the ta..."

Limax maximus, more commonly known as leopard [[slugs]] or the great grey slug,
are one of the largest domestic slugs, right behind the great black slug. The leopard slug is a part of the keeled slug family – the Limacidae family.

== Description ==
Adult slugs measure between 4-8 inches in length. They generally have light gray or gray-brown skin with dark spots or blotches. Each variation of patterns varies per slug.
Their body is rounded with a short keel on the tail and two sets of tentacles on their heads. [1] The upper set of tentacles is used to sense light with eye spots on the ends of the tentacles while the lower sets are used to sense smells. The slugs breathe through a hole in the side of their mantle called a pneumostome. Like all other slugs, leopard slugs secrete mucus as they move to protect their foot from damage. This mucus is iridescent and colorless. [1]

== Habitat & Feeding Habits ==
The leopard slug is native to Europe and parts of Northern Africa and has been introduced as an invasive species to North America. Leopard slugs are commonly found in areas with lots of human interaction- gardens, parks, greenhouses, graveyards, and well-wooded areas [2].

Leopard slugs feed on decaying plant material, fungi, [[lichen]] and [[algae]]. They have also been known to occasionally feed on other slugs and their eggs. [2].

== Life Cycle ==
Leopard slugs lay eggs slightly attached in clusters. These eggs are transparent, elastic, and have a slightly yellowish color. Each egg is approximately 6x4.5 mm and will hatch in about a month. These baby slugs emerge from the eggs after a month and will need two years minimum to reach sexual maturity. Once they reach sexual maturity, they have approximately one year max before the next set of leopard slugs take over. The life span of leopard slugs is 2.5-3 years. [3].

When it is time for leopard slugs to mate these slugs hang off a tree branch by a strong piece of mucus and mate in the air. All leopard slugs are hermaphrodites and will each exchange sperm and then both slugs lay eggs [1].

== Ecological Role ==
Leopard slugs can be beneficial for gardens due to them eating the decaying plant matter. They also prey on other slug species which may damage gardens. Leopard slugs also enrich the [[soil]] as [[decomposers]]. [4].

== References ==
1. Pedersen, A. (2015, May 3). Leopard Slug. Truckee River Guide. https://truckeeriverguide.org/species/leopard-slug/
2. Leopard Slug. Terrestrial snails and Slugs. (n.d.). https://www.molluscs.at/gastropoda/terrestrial.html?%2Fgastropoda%2Fterrestrial%2Flimax.html
3. Leopard Slug. EOL. (n.d.). https://eol.org/pages/452590/articles#:~:text=Limax%20maximus%20(literally%2C%20%22biggest,species%20of%20the%20genus%20Limax.
4. Taft, D. (2016, July 22). The double life of the slimy, acrobatic leopard slug. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/24/nyregion/the-double-life-of-the-slimy-acrobatic-leopard-slug.html#:~:text=Here%20again%2C%20the%20leopard%20slug,%2C%20mussels%2C%20snails%20and%20oysters

Salamanders

2025-03-07T16:52:14Z

Madilynl:

[[File: EasternRedbackedSalamander2.jpg|thumb|Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) - ''Retrieved from'' https://herpsofnc.org/red-backed-salamander/]]
== Description ==

Salamanders are a group of amphibians in the order Caudata [1], which consists of over 740 species of salamander across 10 different families, with the most prominent family being Cryptobranchidae [1]. Salamanders are amphibians with tails as adults, store fats and proteins and assist with movement [1]. Salamanders are typically small [[animals]], usually reaching no more than 4 to 6 inches when fully grown [1]. However, there are notable exceptions, with some species reaching much larger sizes. Most notably, the [[Japanese giant salamander]] can reach up to 5.6 feet in length [1]. Other well-known examples of salamanders include axolotls, hellbenders, sirens, and newts [1]. Salamanders can be found in temperate and tropical climates worldwide, with most of their [[diversity]] occurring in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere [1].

== Habitat and Range ==

Salamanders can be found throughout most of the northern hemisphere, with the one exception being the Amazon basin in South America [3]. The greatest amount of salamander diversity can be found in the United States, with 9 of 10 families being found there, the Hynobiidae or Asiatic salamanders being excluded [2]. All species of salamanders require access to a nearby water source, as it is essential for them to keep their skin moist to survive [2]. Some groups, particularly newts, spend most of their time out of the water, while others, such as hellbenders, are almost fully aquatic [2]. Some other species are cave specialists and spend most, if not all of their lives in total darkness [4]. Salamanders of all species tend to be secretive and burrow in moist leaf litter to avoid being seen [5].

== Life Cycle ==
[[File: Salamander-Life-Cycle.jpg|thumb|Typical Salamander Life Cycle - ''Retrieved from'' https://www.animalspot.net/salamander]]
Salamanders are amphibians, and like most amphibians, they reproduce by laying eggs. In most species, reproduction is done via internal fertilization, although a few species use external fertilization [3]. After fertilization, eggs are typically laid in clusters in shallow water. However, some species lay eggs in moist terrestrial locations, such as under logs or on leaves [3]. Once the eggs are laid, it is common for the female to stay with them until they hatch [3]. Most salamander species begin their lives as a fully aquatic larva, which then undergoes a metamorphosis before transitioning to a more terrestrial adult [3]. Not all species do this, though; many species never fully metamorphize, and the adults retain several juvenile features, a process called paedomorphosis [3]. The most well-known species to undergo paedomorphosis is the Axolotl [3].

[[File:salamander_feeding.jpg|thumb|left| A Blue Spotted Salamander Feeding on its Prey - ''Retrieved from'' https://www.flickr.com/photos/26500525@N08/4561488710]]

== Diet ==

All species of salamanders are carnivores, with [[insects]] being the most common prey [3]. However, diet does vary widely across species, primarily depending on the size of a particular species. Small salamanders eat mostly insects and other small [[invertebrates]], while some of the largest species have diets that include larger prey, which can include fish, crustaceans, and small mammals [4]. Salamanders are mostly slow-moving animals, which limits their ability to catch fast prey [4]. This limitation is partially made up for in some, mostly tropical, species that have specialized tongues that can be rapidly protruded from the mouth to grab prey [3].

== References ==

[1] salamander | Species, lifestyle, & facts. (n.d.).. https://www.britannica.com/animal/salamander

[2] Facts About Salamanders | Live Science. 2015, October 29.. https://www.livescience.com/52627-salamanders.html

[3] Caudata | Characteristics & Facts | Britannica. (n.d.).. https://www.britannica.com/animal/Caudata

[4] Salamander and Newt | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants. (n.d.).. https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/salamander-and-newt#:~:text=HABITAT%20AND%20DIET,dug%20in%20the%20damp%20earth.

[5] Spotted salamander. (n.d.). . https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Spotted-Salamander.