With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
California could soon have an official state slug and crab
A banana slug crawls along a fence beside a pathway at the Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County, California.
(
Eric Risberg
/
Associated Press
)
California is close to having two new state symbols — a famous slug and an expensive crab.
UC Santa Cruz students and alums have something to celebrate. Their mascot, the banana slug, is about to become the official state slug.
“Fun fact, banana slugs have more teeth than a shark. Can you imagine?” said Assembly member Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz), who authored the bill. The shell-less terrestrial gastropod molluscs can have up to 27,000 teeth.
You can find the slugs in coastal lowlands, where they have a symbiotic relationship with redwood trees. Banana slugs cut down their competition by eating young shoots of other trees. Redwoods reciprocate by creating a cooler climate on the forest floor.
Support for LAist comes from
But the slug isn’t the only new official state symbol. California will also have a state crustacean — the Dungeness crab.
A California Dept. of Fish and Game officials holds up a crab during the start of the Dungeness crab season off the coastline near Muir Beach, California.
(
Eric Risberg
/
Associated Press
)
In California, the side walking decapods can be found along the northern and central coasts, both on the shore and on many restaurant menus. Ukiah Assembly member Jim Wood made the case for the move.
“So I ask, members, that you don't let this bill get clawed back. It's time to shell-elebrate the importance of the Dungeness crab,” he said to a roomful of groans.
The crabs bring in an average of $57 million annually to the state. Yearly crab landings can vary a lot, though, and climate change is impacting both crabs and the industry built around them.
The bills are now crawling their way to the governor’s desk.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist