SnailsSnails

Snails are molluscs. They have Snails are molluscs. They have soft bodies protected by a hard soft bodies protected by a hard shell. The body of the snail is shell. The body of the snail is usually moist and often slimy.usually moist and often slimy.

The snail has two pairs of The snail has two pairs of tentacles on its head. One pair is tentacles on its head. One pair is longer than the other pair. The longer than the other pair. The eyes are on the longer pair. eyes are on the longer pair.

The shorter pair is used for The shorter pair is used for smelling and feeling its way smelling and feeling its way around.around.

If a snail is disturbed, it pulls its If a snail is disturbed, it pulls its body back into its shell. The snail body back into its shell. The snail then seals the entrance with a then seals the entrance with a mucus plug.mucus plug.

A snail has a fingernail file like A snail has a fingernail file like tongue called a radula in its tongue called a radula in its mouth for scraping food particles mouth for scraping food particles off.off.

Snails eat mostly living plants and Snails eat mostly living plants and some fruits.some fruits.

The snail moves by creeping or The snail moves by creeping or gliding along on a flat "foot" gliding along on a flat "foot" underneath it's body. underneath it's body.

The "foot" has a special gland that The "foot" has a special gland that produces slimy mucus to make a produces slimy mucus to make a slippery track. You can often see slippery track. You can often see these silvery tracks in the garden.these silvery tracks in the garden.

A snail lays its eggs in in the soil A snail lays its eggs in in the soil or under tree bark or leaves. or under tree bark or leaves. A snail can lay about 85 eggs. A snail can lay about 85 eggs. They hatch in 2 to 4 weeks.They hatch in 2 to 4 weeks.

The first thing that a newly The first thing that a newly hatched snail does is to find food. hatched snail does is to find food. It will eat whatever is left of its It will eat whatever is left of its eggshell too.eggshell too.

As the snail grows, its shell grows As the snail grows, its shell grows too, in a spiral shape.  too, in a spiral shape.  

Tell your friend what you Tell your friend what you know about snails!know about snails!