Snail

Snails are soft-bodied animals belonging to the class Gastropoda, a large group of mollusks that also includes slugs. Most land snails carry a spiral shell made mainly of calcium carbonate, which grows with them throughout their lives and protects their delicate bodies. They move using a muscular foot that glides over a layer of mucus, allowing them to travel across rough surfaces while reducing friction and preventing dehydration.

At the top of their head are two pairs of tentacles. The longer pair carries the eyes, while the shorter pair helps them sense touch and smell. Land snails are especially active in damp conditions because moisture helps keep their bodies from drying out. Most land snails feed on leaves, fungi, decaying plant material and other organic matter, although some species have different diets.

Their mouth contains a ribbon-like structure called a radula, covered with thousands of tiny tooth-like structures that scrape food into small pieces. Many snails are hermaphrodites, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs, but they usually still mate with another snail before laying eggs in moist soil.

They play an important role in ecosystems by helping break down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. In turn, they provide food for birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and many invertebrates, making them an important part of natural food webs.