Slime, Shells and Secrets: fascinating facts about snails

To many people snails are just pests, but there is a lot more to these garden snails than meets the eye. These slow sliding creatures are full of surprises and can even be interesting. From their bizarre teeth to their slime superpowers, they will fascinate anyone! Here are a few interesting facts about snails that will change how you see them!

1. 🐚 Home Sweet Shell

The iconic spiral shell isn’t just for the show, but it is actually part of their body. Unlike most animals, a snail doesn't simply hatch from its egg. Instead, the egg forms the shell, which grows along with the snail. The shell is a calcareous concave cone that consists of three main layers. The first layer is the thin outer periostracum, the second layer is much thicker and is made up of three layers of crystalline calcium carbonate. The last and innermost layer is called the nacre. The shell has only one opening and the edge of the shell is called the peristome, which calcifies as the snail matures. Once this lip has formed the snail will not grow any larger. The shell, therefore, indicates the age and maturity of the snail. It represents approximately one third of the total weight of the shell and is essential for the snail’s survival. It protects it from predators and weather conditions. Unlike hermit crabs, snails cannot leave their shells, because it is their home. Luckily, snails can easily fit into their shells due to the absence of a backbone.

2.😮 Thousands of Tiny Teeth

Who would have thought that a small creature like a snail would have up to 14,000 microscopic teeth?! The mouth of a snail contains one tooth, shaped in a circular arc. The tongue is covered with small horn shaped teeth and works like a grater with backward and forward movements to grind its food. They may be slow creatures, but their tongues are very powerful!

3.👣 They Walk on One Giant Foot

Snails do not have legs, but rather a muscular foot. The foot has two openings, located on the upper part of the foot near the edge or lip of the shell: one is the respiratory opening, and the other is the anus. Snails move forward with a continuous gliding motion. They produce slime to keep their bodies moist and assist them with locomotion.

4.🐌 Wonder slime

Snail slime is a multipurpose marvel. It helps snails move across rough or sharp surfaces without injury, keeps their bodies moist, and even plays a role in communication and mating. The slime consists mostly of water and hyaluronic acid, allantoin and glycolic acid. Believe it or not, some beauty products now use snail slime for its moisturising properties. The slime is often used in creams and face masks.

5.🩸 They Have Open Circulatory Systems

Unlike humans, snails have an open circulatory system. This means that the blood flows freely through cavities rather than through vessels. The cavity is also called the hemocoel, in which the organs are bathed in the blood. Most molluscs and arthropods have open blood systems.

6.🧂 Salt is Their Worst Enemy

Snails have soft, moist bodies and need a damp environment to survive. When snails come into contact with salt, the results are deadly! Salt draws water out of their bodies through osmosis, which can quickly dehydrate and kill them.

8. 🌙 They are Night Owls

Garden snails are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. During the day, they prefer to hide in cool, damp places to avoid the sun. They emerge in the darkness to feed when it's cooler and the risk of dehydration is lower.

9. 🤓Tentacles- the eyes to the world 

Although snails may be slow, they are well aware of what goes on in their surroundings. The tentacles on their heads help them to take in information about their environment. Land snails usually have four tentacles, which aid them in moving around safely in their habitat.

At first glance, snails might just seem like slow, slimy garden dwellers—but there's so much more beneath their shells. Whether they're gliding silently at night, using their radula to grate up food, or carrying their spiral homes on their backs, snails prove that even the smallest creatures can be full of wonder. These tiny gastropods may move slowly, but they’re a fascinating reminder of the complexity and beauty of nature.