Snails

Snails are found almost everywhere: in meadows and forests, in mountains and lowlands, in streams and rivers, in lakes and in the sea. There are around 43,000 different species of snails on Earth. Among the largest native species are the large slugs. Since they do not carry a shell, they are also called slugs. The Spanish slug is particularly widespread here. Other species include the red slug and the black slug. These slugs may be red, brown, gray or black. However, the three species are difficult to tell apart by appearance alone. Slugs are usually about 10 to 15 centimeters long, and sometimes grow to as much as 20 centimeters.

We also have snails that carry shells on their backs. Some species have shells with distinctive brown stripes, which is why they are called banded snails. Some are yellow or pink, too. Snail shells are made of calcium carbonate. The animals cannot shed them, but carry them around throughout their lives. As a snail grows, its shell grows too. Many species can retreat completely into their shells, where they are well protected from other animals. Blackbirds, however, sometimes place snails on a stone and peck at the shell until it breaks. Such a spot is called a thrush anvil. In winter, some snail species seal their shells with a calcium lid. They then enter a state of winter dormancy. Slugs, which have no shells, crawl into tunnels or burrows in the ground in winter, where they are protected from frost.

Snails leave their hiding places especially at dusk and after a rain shower. They crawl up plants, along paths and roads, and through garden beds. They move slowly, but steadily. The scientific name for snails is "Gastropoda". The word means "belly-footed". Their bodies consist of a head, a broad foot and a visceral mass on their backs, which is protected by a shell in many snails. The entire underside of slugs consists of a broad, muscular foot, which they use to move around. They can control the muscles in their bodies so that they push themselves forward in a wave-like motion.

Snails secrete mucus, which they use to crawl slowly forwards. But the mucus is not only a lubricant; it also acts like glue. This allows snails to climb smooth walls and tree bark. However, producing mucus takes a lot of effort. That is why they move very slowly and as little as possible. In one minute, slugs cover about 5 to 7 centimetres, and in an hour around 3 to 4 metres. They can live for 2 to 3 years.

Slugs breathe through lungs. They draw air in through a breathing pore near the front of the body. Many other types of snail breathe through gills. Slugs have two pairs of tentacles on their heads. Their eyes are on the upper tentacles, while the lower ones have the organs they use to taste and touch.Slugs prefer to live in damp places, under plants, stones or wood. These protect their bodies from drying out. They mainly feed on plants, but they also eat leaves, dead animals and even dog faeces.

Snails have many tiny teeth on their tongues, which they use to scrape up food. This tongue is therefore called a radula, meaning a scraping or rasping tongue.