The UC Santa Cruz mascot is the banana slug.
Most people think this is a very odd and unimpressive mascot (I certainly think so) because it basically is. But Santa Cruz is a unique and special place full of unique and special people so I suppose a unique and special mascot is appropriate.
And here is a bit of banana slug info that you absolutely can go on living your life with out ever knowing. And you probably don't want to know. But I'm going to tell you anyways!
Banana slugs are simultaneous hermaphrodites. This means that each individual slug has both male and female reproduction organs. While they have the ability to self fertilize and clone themselves, more often they will go find another slug to mate with as long as the opportunity presents itself.
So... Two slugs are in the forest and run into each other. They get to know each other a little bit and before you know it they are producing a huge amount of mucus and slimming each other up. They get down to the dirty and they both begin inseminating the other. Once all the fun is done it's time to get going; slugs prefer a one night stand situation. They don't like to get too invested but sometimes, nature thinks it can force things to happen. Very often one or both of the banana slug penises will become stuck inside the other individual. No worries though, Banana slugs are problem solvers!
The simple solution: Chew it off.
One slug will chew off the stuck slug's penis and then continue on their merry way. Perhaps it will mate again or just go lay its eggs or eat a snack. Meanwhile the other slug slinks away to regrow its appendages and mate another day.
It's a rough life being a banana slug.
Oh good times with Dad and Aunt Beth. That was a funny evening. Thank you for your random interesting info :)
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