The mighty banana slug is an important member of the redwood forest community and the University of California Santa Cruz's iconic mascot. Did any of these facts surprise you? Tap the link in bio to learn more about these cute creatures. 🎥 @kicking.girl | KQED

Do banana slugs have bad breath? Have they ever been used medicinally? Why did people lick them? Meet the banana slug: one of the redwood forest’s most unforgettable residents! These slow-moving decomposers are essential to the ecosystem, recycling fallen leaves and turning them into rich soil that helps new life grow. They breathe through a hole on their side, can stretch to nearly a foot long, and have a slime that not only keeps them from drying out but also numbs the mouths of would-be preda