Large Red Slug
VU

Large Red Slug

Arion rufus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arion_ater_rufus

Overview

Arion ater rufus, also known as the red slug, large red slug, chocolate arion and European red slug, is a subspecies of land slug in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

The Chocolate arion faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in land management practices. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature regimes that affect the moist conditions essential for this species' survival. Pollution from pesticides and fertilizers further compounds these pressures on vulnerable populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits moist deciduous and mixed woodlands, gardens, parks, and agricultural areas with adequate ground cover and organic matter. Requires consistently humid microhabitats including leaf litter, compost heaps, and areas with dense vegetation that provide shelter and moisture retention.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Threatened in Austria

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
EN

Pipizella nigriana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Large Red Slug classified as Vulnerable?
Large Red Slug is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Chocolate arion faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in land management practices. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and temperature regimes that affect the moist conditions essential for this species' survival. Pollution from pesticides and fertilizers further compounds these pressures on vulnerable populations.
Where does Large Red Slug live?
Large Red Slug occurs in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, and Denmark (plus 28 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Large Red Slug?
The main threats to Large Red Slug are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.