As you hike up the slopes of the Carbon River Valley, pause to look and listen. What birds can you hear? Woodpeckers, ravens, flocks of chickadees, and other birds are common, and the forest can be home to deer, squirrels, coyotes, and other wildlife. Most of the animals in a rainforest are tiny creatures like beetles, ants, spiders, and other invertebrates like banana slugs. These small but important animals help break down organic matter.

Banana slugs (Ariolimax columbianus) are one of the largest terrestrial slugs in the world. They can grow to be 7-10 inches (185-260 mm) long. While they can be yellow, they also come in green, brown, or white colors and can have dark spots. Their color changes according to their diet and moisture in the environment. Because they have no shell, which provides them with needed moisture, banana slugs prefer wet and shady environments like the forests of Carbon River. They love humidity so much that they use nearby water to make their very own slime. This slime allows them to stay hydrated and alive, navigate the forest floor, and protects them against predators who might want to take a bite out of them.