Let's slug it out

BRITS have been urged to show slugs some love, as the Daily Star revealed yesterday.

- MEG JORSH

Last year gardeners raged as they thrived in the mild, wet conditions - but experts insist they are actually good for the environment.

They claim slugs can help clear away fallen leaves and make tasty treats for birds and hedgehogs.

FRIENDLY: Slugs come in different shapes, sizes and colours but they all should be protected

1 Slugs are mainly water. Their bodies are up to 90% H2O, which is what makes them slimy - and why they're most active in the damp.

2 It's not slime, though - it's mucus. Slugs dry out easily because they don't have shells, so they need their slippery coating to stay alive.

3 A slug's body is basically one giant foot. The whole thing is a muscle they ripple along the ground like a Mexican wave to move around.