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"but 8-inch snail sounds a bit scary"

Avoid Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

I've lived in Seattle for 12 years and have never seen a slug here let alone a large one. I have seen those sidewalk worms after the rain, though

Long time Vancouver, BC resident. My pre-school daughter would fill a pocket with 5 inch banana slugs. Delightful to discover later in the house.

You should see a lot of slugs if you go into the forest. They are out there!

Banana slugs are long but not particularly large. Also, you only rarely see them in cities