Pond Snails Thursday, October 26, 2006

What Are Snails? They fall under the category of mollusks – which include oysters, clams, and other shellfish. They have soft bodies and hard shells.

It is a gastropod – in Latin “gastro” means stomach and “pod” means foot. Stomach + foot = belly-footed animal.

The Snail’s “Foot” The snail moves by using the muscles in its “foot” on the bottom. The muscles create a rippling movement to push it forward. However, it moves very slowly.

The Snail’s “Foot” When the snail moves, it leaves behind a slimy mucus. It lets the snail go on sharp and dangerous things, like rocks, without hurting its soft body.

The Snail’s Shell The shell protects the snail’s soft body The shell is part of the snail’s body. They are attached, so they do NOT need to change shells as they grow bigger.

The Snail’s Tentacles The snail has two pairs of tentacles on its head. Eyes are on the longer pair, even though snails have poor or no vision. Shorter pair is used for smelling and feeling its way around.

The Snail’s Radula Its mouth is located at the bottom of the snail. The radula is like a rough tongue that grinds up the snail’s food. It’s like a file with rows of tiny teeth.

Male or Female? A snail is both male and female. They have everything they need to make snail babies.

How Do They Reproduce? The snails lay eggs in algae. The eggs look like little white balls in clusters.

What Do Snails Eat? Scavengers – feed on dead or decaying things. Algae collecting in our aquariums Microscopic (very tiny) creatures found on the surface of the water. The guppies’ waste

How Do They Breathe? Some pond snails have gills to breathe underwater. Those that do not, come up to the surface of our aquarium to get air.

More Fun Facts  Did you know that the snail can live up to 5 to 10 years? Some have been known to live to 15 years!

More Fun Facts  Did you know that snails have enemies? Ground beetles, snakes, toads, turtles, birds, and some fish love eating the soft bodies of snails!

More Fun Facts  Did you know that snails can be eaten by people? French people love to eat snails! It is called escargot.

Quiz Time! 

1. What are snails? Mollusks Amphibians Humans Insects

Mollusks The correct answer is… They have hard shells to protect their soft bodies! Just like clams and oysters.

2. What is the slimy stuff that snails leave behind? Jell-o Water Mucus Waste

C. Mucus The correct answer is… It lets the snails move across sharp and dangerous objects like rocks without getting hurt!

3. True or False? When the snail grows, it needs to move out of its shell and find a bigger one.

False! The correct answer is… The snail’s shell is attached to its soft body. It does NOT need to get a new shell.

4. What do snails use to smell and feel their way around? Its shell Its foot Its mouth Its tentacles

Since snails have poor or no vision, they use their tentacles. The correct answer is… D. Its tentacles Since snails have poor or no vision, they use their tentacles.

5. What is the “rough tongue” called? Mucus Radula Snout Tentacles

B. Radula The correct answer is… It grinds up the snail’s food. It’s like a file with rows of tiny teeth.

7. Where do the snails lay their eggs? In the algae On the guppies Under the rocks On the tank walls

We don’t have any in our aquariums though. The correct answer is… In the algae We don’t have any in our aquariums though.

8. What do the snail eggs look like? A pile of stacked squares One giant white egg Flat Clusters of small white balls

D. Clusters of small white balls The correct answer is… D. Clusters of small white balls

9. What do snails eat? Hamburgers, fries, and a drink Algae, microscopic creatures, and guppies’ waste Rotten fruits and vegetables Rocks and water

B. Algae, microscopic creatures, and guppies’ waste The correct answer is… B. Algae, microscopic creatures, and guppies’ waste Ponds snails are scavengers. They help keep our aquariums clean by eating all the waste and algae that collects on the side of our tanks.

10. How do snails breathe? Through the holes in their shell Some have gills and others have to come to the surface of the water to get air. They don’t need to breathe. Snails breathe with their tentacles.

The correct answer is… B. Some have gills and others have to come to the surface of the water to get air. Many of you have seen the snails do that!

* Bonus Question #1: Who are the snail’s predators?

* Answer Ground beetles, snakes, toads, turtles, birds, and some fish love eating the soft bodies of snails!

*Bonus Question #2: What do the French people call snails that they eat?

*Answer: Escargot!

The End 