Snails adapt to salt water, fresh water and land habitats, thriving in oceans, lakes, ponds, streams, creeks and rivers. Snail adaptations allow for respiration, movement, digestion and protection from injuries or predators.
Gills
Snails adapt to an aqueous habitat through the use of gills that take in oxygen given off by underwater plants, while filtering nutrients into their systems through breathing water.
Shells/Operculum
Snails protect themselves from predators by taking coverage beneath their shells and through the use of the operculum, a door-like part that closes the opening of the shell.
Tentacles
Snails have two large tentacles with eyes at the end of them for vision and two small tactile tentacles used to feel around their habitat for food, shelter and spawning grounds.
Foot
Snails have a mucus-laden, muscular foot adaptation, that flexes and contracts allowing for movement in water and land habitats, with the mucus layer preventing injury and friction along surfaces.
Rasp Tongue
Snails use a rasp tongue, known as a radula, lined with tiny, rough teeth to grasp and sand food particles, mainly vegetation, down for consumption and digestion.
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Taylor DiVico is a professional songwriter, content writer, fiction novelist and poet with more than 15 years of experience. DiVico holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Rhode Island and an M.S. from Syracuse University.