new species, slug, Triboniophorous graeffei (1)

photo: AFP/Getty Images

new species, slug, Triboniophorous graeffei (2)

photo: AFP/Getty Images

Habitat: New South Wales, Australia
Status: Data Deficient

Fresh onto the scene is this totally bizarre giant new species of fluorescent pink (I see red) slug. It was discovered living around Mount Kaputar near Narrabri in New South Wales – around 323 miles northwest of Sydney. In this remote part of Australia, the slug can grow to lengths of up to 20 cm. Apparently a steady diet of moss does wonders for growth! Who knew!

Locals have long since reported seeing the shocking pink slugs lurking around but it was only until recently that scientists determined that this is actually the same species of slug found in the area, the Red Triangle Slug (Triboniophorus graeffi), just a different color morph.

It is thought that these giant pink slugs date back to the time of Gondwana, which is the name given to two continents that formed part of the Pangaea supercontinent which existed between 180 million years ago. These two landmasses melded to create what is now known as Australia.

You can read more about these incredible slugs and the habitat in which they were found here.