For many, seeing a slug brings “just one reaction: a grimace.” Slimy and slow, they’re often overlooked—but slugs play key roles in both nature and science.

In ecosystems, slugs act as recyclers. They eat decaying plants and fungi, “breaking it down into nutrients that enrich the soil.” Without them, waste would pile up. They’re also vital prey for birds, frogs, beetles, and hedgehogs, helping to keep food webs balanced.

Surprisingly, slugs are useful beyond the garden. Their mucus, though unpleasant to touch, is “packed with compounds now used in skincare.” It hydrates and repairs skin, making it valuable in creams and serums.

Science has also turned to slug slime for inspiration. Its strong yet flexible adhesive properties are guiding research into medical glues and wound treatments—natural alternatives to stitches and staples.

Even their simple nervous systems matter. Researchers study them to gain insights into memory, learning, and neurological diseases.

So while they “may never win beauty contests,” slugs prove to be more than pests. From recycling waste to advancing medicine, these creatures are far more important than they appear.