For many, the sight of a snail is a familiar one, perhaps after a rainy day in the garden or hidden amongst the leaves in autumn. These small, slow-moving creatures are really interesting, but they often go unnoticed or are perhaps misunderstood.
If there’s one thing we love doing here at Deep Sea World, it’s giving some much-deserved love to the misunderstood creatures of the world. We think it’s about time that the spotlight was shone on our shell-backed friends.
Let’s delve into the world of the snail and uncover what makes them such a unique and important part of our natural world.
What is a snail?
A snail is an invertebrate, which means it has no backbone. It belongs to a group of animals called molluscs, specifically to the class Gastropoda.
They are soft-bodied creatures, which is why their characteristic shell is so crucial to their anatomy. Much like a skeleton protects a mammal’s organs, a shell protects a snail’s internals.
It’s important to understand that snails are not insects. Insects have three main body parts, six legs, and usually wings, whereas the snail’s anatomy is entirely different, marked most notably by its coiled shell.
Are slugs and snails the same?
While often confused for one another, slugs and snails have quite distinct differences. The primary difference is the shell. A snail possesses a large, prominent, spirally coiled shell that’s essential for its survival, offering a vital source of protection and a safe place to retreat from predators or dry conditions.
A slug, however, either has no external shell at all or only a very small, internal vestigial shell. The absence of a large shell means slugs are typically more vulnerable to dehydration and require damper environments than many snails.
What does a snail look like? Snail anatomy explained
The snail’s anatomy is an elegant example of adaptation, perfectly suited to its slow-paced lifestyle.
The main part of the snail’s body is its long, muscular foot, which extends out from the shell. This entire muscle is used for movement, gliding over surfaces by contracting and expanding in a wave-like motion, aided by a layer of lubricating slime.
The shell is probably the most recognisable and vital feature of a snail. It’s a key part of the animal’s anatomy, growing with it from birth as a continuous, typically spiral shape, and is made mainly of calcium carbonate. This hard structure provides essential protection from predators and helps the snail maintain moisture, which is crucial for its survival on land.
Extending from the shell is the head, which hosts the snail’s sensory organs. Most noticeable are the four tentacles: the two longer, upper ones contain the snail’s eyes, which detect light and movement, and the two shorter, lower ones are used for smelling and feeling its environment, acting as chemical and tactile sensors. Unlike many other creatures, snails don’t have ears and can’t hear airborne sound.
Want to know more? 11 facts about snails
Despite being quite simple-looking creatures, there’s so much to learn about snails that might surprise you. Let’s take a closer look at some of our favourite facts about snails.
Snails are found in various habitats across the world
The Gastropoda class is incredibly diverse, with species found on land, in freshwater, and even in the oceans. Land snails are the largest and most widely recognised group, but aquatic snails play equally important roles in their respective ecosystems.
There are over 60,000 species of snails in total
The sheer number of snail species is astounding, with estimates suggesting there are more than 60,000 species worldwide. This vast group includes everything from tiny freshwater snails to the immense giant African land snail. An extraordinary range of sizes and adaptations!
Snails are nocturnal creatures
Most snails are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. This behaviour is an essential survival tactic, as they must avoid the heat of the sun and dry conditions, which can be fatal. The cooler, damper conditions of the night are perfect for them to emerge, forage, and move around safely.
In colder weather, snails can hibernate
When the weather becomes too cold or too dry, snails have an ingenious way of protecting themselves: hibernation. A snail will curl up inside its shell, often sealing the opening with a layer of hardened mucus called an epiphragm, and can remain dormant for months.
Snails have teeth – and lots of them!
Despite their small mouths, snails possess an extraordinary number of teeth, not individual teeth like ours, but thousands of microscopic teeth arranged on a ribbon-like structure called a radula. A common garden snail can have around 14,000 teeth, which are used for scraping and cutting food – terrifying if you’re a blade of grass!
Snail slime is essential for movement
The slimy trail a snail leaves behind is absolutely essential for its movement and survival. This mucus acts as a lubricant, reducing friction as the snail glides along on its foot, and helps it grip surfaces. This slow, deliberate movement puts them among the slowest creatures on Earth.
Snail shells grow with age
A snail is born with its shell, and it is the only one it will ever have. The shell does not get replaced; instead, it grows larger in a continuous spiral as the snail gets older and its body requires more space. A completely broken or removed shell is fatal for snails.
The giant African land snail is the largest species of snail
The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) is the largest land snail in the world, with its shell reaching lengths of up to 20 centimetres. These snails are native to East Africa but have made themselves at home in many tropical regions worldwide as an invasive species.
The record for the smallest snail on record is minuscule
The world’s smallest known snail is believed to be Acmella nana or Angustopila psammion, with a tiny shell measuring less than one millimetre in diameter. You would need a microscope to properly see this tiny creature, which lives on limestone hills and feeds on microscopic organisms.
Most snails don’t have a specific gender
Many snail species are hermaphrodites, meaning an individual snail possesses both male and female reproductive organs. While they have both, mating often still occurs between two snails.
Some species of snails are classed as endangered
While many snail species are abundant, some are struggling to survive and are now critically endangered. Freshwater snails in particular, like the British glutinous snail, are highly sensitive to water quality and are now rare due to habitat loss and pollution.
Spot the giant African land snail at Deep Sea World
Here at Deep Sea World, you have the wonderful opportunity to see the magnificent Giant African Land Snail up close. This species is a great example of just how large a snail can become. Their sheer size and spiral shell make them a fascinating species to observe, offering a wonderful talking point for children and a chance to truly appreciate the diversity within the snail family.
We hope this insight into the world of the snail has given you a renewed appreciation for these often-overlooked creatures. From their colossal number of teeth to their mesmerising shells, snails are truly more than meets the eye.
Why not come and visit us soon to see the giant African land snail for yourself, along with all the amazing marine life that calls Deep Sea World home? Book your tickets today to avoid missing out!