Snails are a common sight in gardens and yards. But did you know that these slimy creatures have some pretty interesting facts attached to them?
Here are ten fun facts about snails:
1. Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. This allows them to mate with any other snail, and they often do so by exchanging love darts.
2. The largest snail on record was 15 inches long and weighed two pounds.
3. Most snails are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night.
4. Snails have no eyelids, but they do have a pair of tentacles on their head that they use for sensing their environment.
5. Snails have thin, flat, ribbon-like tongue that is covered in thousands of tiny teeth. This tongue, called a radula, is used for eating.
6. Snails secrete mucus from their foot to help them move. This mucus also helps protect them from predators and the elements.
7. Some species of snail can travel up to 12 miles in a single night.
8. When threatened, many snails will retract into their shell and seal the opening with mucus.
9. Snails are a delicacy in many parts of the world, mostly France, and are often considered a gourmet food.
10. Snails are one of the oldest living animals on earth, with some fossils dating back over 500 million years.
