Subject: Re: ruffed grouse diet?
Date: Jan 19 12:27:36 1998
From: Jacki Bricker - seaotter at eskimo.com



It's my understanding that slugs have a slime layer that's particularly
distasteful to most predators. That's why they're generally not eaten by
birds (well, that, and slugs are primarily nocturnal, while birds are
primarily diurnal. But anyway). If a ruffed grouse was eating one, I'd
be interested to know how they get around the (purportedly--I wouldn't
know personally) bad taste!



On Mon, 19 Jan 1998, Rob Saecker wrote:

> Had a ruffed grouse in the yard this morning, and it looked like it may
> have been eating slugs, along with some greens. _The Birder's Handbook_
> includes snails in the description of ruffed grouse diet, but doesn't
> mention slugs. I assume that if they will eat snails, they would eat slugs
> too, but does anyone know for sure? Thanks...
>
> Rob Saecker
> Olympia
>
>
>

-Jacki