of Limax maximus (and other Limacidae species) is unknown. Unidentified calcitic shells of Limacidae are known from European Tertiary and Quaternary deposits. Indigenous distribution This species is now widely distributed around the world, but it is generally considered to be native to Europe and Mediterranean countries of Africa. Western Europe: Great Britain - Limax maximus was first described in England in Animalium Angliae Tres Tractatus … Alter de Cochleis tum Terrestribus tum Fluviatilibus by Martin Lister in 1678. The presence of Limax maximus in England had been noted twelve years earlier in Christopher Merret's Pinax Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum. Ireland Benelux: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg France Germany Italy Switzerland Spain Portugal Eastern Europe: Albania Bosnia-Hercegovina Bulgaria Croatia Greece Serbia Africa: Egypt Algeria Morocco Nonindigenous distribution The non-indigenous distribution of Limax maximus includes many countries worldwide: Europe: all remaining countries not already listed above. Africa Mozambique South Africa North America: Canada (present in 5 of 10 provinces) Mexico United States (present in 46 of 50 states) South America: Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Asia: China Japan India Oceania: Australia New Zealand Behavior Limax maximus is nocturnal, feeding at night. It is not very active or prolific. When alarmed, or at rest, this slug merely draws its head within the shield, but does not otherwise contract its body. When irritated, it is said to expand its shield. The homing instinct is strongly developed in this species, which, after its nocturnal rambles or foraging expeditions, usually returns to the particular crevice or chink in which it has established itself. Limax maximus is capable of associative learning, specifically classical conditioning, because it is capable of aversion learning and other types of learning. It can also detect deficiencies in a nutritionally incomplete diet if the essential amino acid methionine is experimentally removed from its food. Ecology Habitat The slug is almost always found near human habitation — usually in lawns, gardens, cellars or in other damp areas. This species is not gregarious. It frequents gardens, damp and shady hedgerows and woods, hiding during the day beneath stones, under fallen trees, or other obscure and damp places. It does however exhibit a decided preference for the vicinity of human habitations, and readily takes up its abode in damp cellars or outbuildings. In Ireland, this predilection for human dwellings is not exhibited, and the species is restricted to woods and other similar places. It may even be met almost within