1. Birds: Song thrushes, mistle thrushes, blackbirds, robins, starlings, and other birds commonly feed on slugs. They use their beaks to break the slug's skin and then pull the soft body out.
2. Hedgehogs: Hedgehogs are well known for their fondness for slugs. They use their sharp teeth and long tongues to hunt and eat these slimy creatures.
3. Centipedes: Centipedes are predators that actively hunt for slugs and other small invertebrates. With their numerous pairs of legs, they wrap around the slug's body and deliver venomous bites to paralyze and subdue their prey.
4. Ground beetles: Various ground beetle species, such as the Common Ground Beetle (Carabus granulatus), are known to prey on slugs. These beetles use their powerful jaws to crush the slugs and feed on their soft tissue.
5. Frogs: Frogs and toads, which are amphibians, consume slugs as part of their diet. They capture the slugs with their sticky tongues and swallow them whole.
6. Ducks: Some waterfowl species, such as mallard ducks and teal, will feed on slugs and other small invertebrates they encounter in their natural environment.
7. Shrews: Shrews, small mammalian predators, are known to feed on various invertebrates, including slugs. Their pointed snouts and sharp teeth help them hunt and consume slugs.
These animals play essential ecological roles in the ecosystem by controlling slug populations and contributing to the balance of the natural environment.