Dog Vomit Slime Mold
ExploreAnimal
Dog Vomit Slime Mold
fuligo septica
Despite its unappealing common name, the Dog Vomit Slime Mold (Fuligo septica) is a fascinating, complex organism that is not a fungus, but rather a single-celled amoebozoan. During its active plasmodial stage, it exists as a giant single cell containing millions of nuclei, behaving like an animal as it slowly crawls across substrates in search of food. It plays a critical ecological role as a decomposer, recycling nutrients back into the soil. Often appearing overnight on mulch or rotting logs, this colorful organism undergoes a dramatic transformation into a crusty, spore-bearing structure called an aethalium, demonstrating nature's ability to thrive in unexpected forms.
Habitat: Commonly found in temperate and tropical forest floors, particularly on wood mulch, decaying logs, leaf litter, and occasionally on living plants.
Appearance
In its active plasmodial stage, Fuligo septica resembles a bright yellow, white, or occasionally pinkish, foamy or spongy mass, spreading up to several decimeters across. As it matures and prepares to release spores, it hardens into a crust-like structure that becomes duller yellow, tan, or grayish-white, containing a dark brown or black powdery spore mass inside.
KingdomProtozoaPhylumMycetozoaClassMyxomycetesOrderPhysaralesFamilyPhysaraceaeGenusFuligo
Category
AnimalRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its animal-like movement and fungus-like appearance, it is actually a single giant cell containing millions of nuclei.
In Scandinavian folklore, this slime mold was believed to be the vomit of troll cats, mythical creatures that stole milk and butter from farms.
It is known for its extreme tolerance to toxic heavy metals, specifically zinc, which it can tolerate at levels that would kill almost any other organism.
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Sclerotium Formation
Under dry or unfavorable conditions, it can dry up into a hardened, dormant mass called a sclerotium, allowing it to survive for years until moisture returns.
Ability
Heavy Metal Tolerance
This species can tolerate and accumulate extraordinarily high levels of toxic zinc and other heavy metals, converting them into harmless crystalline forms.
Ability
Plasmodial Movement
Lacking muscles or nerves, it uses a mechanism of coordinated cytoplasmic streaming to crawl at speeds of up to one centimeter per hour to find food.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 2-30 cm
Diet & Feeding
It feeds by engulfing bacteria, fungal spores, yeasts, and other organic matter through a process called phagocytosis.
Age differences: The spore stage does not feed; only the active plasmodial stage consumes organic nutrients.
Primary Foods
- Bacteria
- Fungal spores
- Yeasts
- Decomposing plant matter
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Slime Mold Beetle
Anisotoma humeralis
Adults and larvae of this beetle feed directly on the mature, crusty spore mass of the slime mold.
competitor
Wolf's Milk Slime Mold
Lycogala epidendrum
Competes for substrate space and bacterial resources on decaying wood.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Dog Vomit Slime Mold?
The easiest way to identify Dog Vomit Slime Mold is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Dog Vomit Slime Mold?
2-30 cm
What does Dog Vomit Slime Mold eat?
It feeds by engulfing bacteria, fungal spores, yeasts, and other organic matter through a process called phagocytosis.
Where is Dog Vomit Slime Mold usually found?
Commonly found in temperate and tropical forest floors, particularly on wood mulch, decaying logs, leaf litter, and occasionally on living plants.
How does Dog Vomit Slime Mold hunt?
Foraging
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