All About Snails - Snail Facts and Information

About Snails

In the UK, there are around 99 species of land snails and around 46 species of freshwater snails. When we think of a snail, the majority of people (especially those of us who love our gardens) will think of them as a pest and they are known for causing damage to garden plants, in reality, they do so much good. 

Typically, Snails have a spiral shaped shell, so that when in danger, they can retract their bodies and find safety in their snail shell.

Their bodies are brown in colour and they have cream coloured shells with brown spirals. Land snails range greatly in their appearance and size and there are some tiny snails.

With a mucus covered body, Snails usually leave a trail behind them letting everyone know they have been. This ‘slime’ is used to keep the Snail moist so that their body doesn’t dry out. Garden snails can only move at a pace of 0.048 km/h so they are not moving anywhere quickly!

Snails are found everywhere in the world, and they range in size and the habitat they like to live in, from dry land to fresh water bodies - you’ll find these small creatures in most places. 

In the world of animals, snails are known as invertebrates and they are in the family of phylum mollusca. 

What Happens if A Snail Loses its Shell?

Without their shell, Snails can not survive. Snail shells aid their breathing and if they lose it, they would not be able to breathe properly. 

Types of Snail Species

Garden Snails

One of the most common snails in the UK, the Common Garden Snail has a patchy brown shell that acts as a camouflage. 

In the gardening world, the Garden Snail is seen as a pest, but they are a valuable food source for many song birds who eat garden Snails.

Roman Burgundy (Edible Snail)

This is a Snail that many will recognise as Escargot. It has a globular brown shell and is native to Europe. 

Great Ram’s Horn 

This species is one of the largest pond Snails and it takes its name from the shape of a Ram’s horn. 

This snail is an air breathing freshwater snail, you’ll mostly find this species in small, still and weedy ponds. 

White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)

This species has a coiled shell with distinct bands of colour, ranging from yellow to brown, and a white lip around the aperture. It's commonly found in grassy areas, woodlands, and hedgerows, feeding on vegetation and fungi.

Giant African Land Snail

This is a species of large land snails and it is one of the largest land snails in the world, with a shell that can grow to almost 20 cm long and reach nearly a kilo in weight.

They are nocturnal creatures who are mostly active at night and are native to damp areas of Africa.

What do Land Snails Eat?

Snails are known to eat a variety of plants, fruits, vegetables, and decaying organic matter. Some common foods that Snails feed on include lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, strawberries, apples, and mushrooms.

They can also feed on algae and other small organisms found on surfaces like rocks and soil. Snails are generally considered to be herbivores, but they may occasionally consume small amounts of decaying animal matter or fungi as well.

How Long Do Snails Live

Typically, garden snails only live short lives, with 2 to 5 years being the average. In captivity, where there are better living conditions, they can live as long as 20 years.

Most species only have short lives, but some do live up to 10 years in the wild

Snail Predators 

Snails are preyed upon by a range of predators in their ecosystems. These predators vary greatly depending on the habitat, ranging from terrestrial environments to freshwater and marine settings. The slow movement and soft bodies of snails make them an appealing target, though their shells provide some degree of protection against potential threats.

In terrestrial ecosystems, birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians are among the primary predators of snails. Birds such as thrushes and songbirds are known to crack snail shells by striking them against hard surfaces.

Hedgehogs and rodents, including mice and rats, often consume snails, breaking their shells with their strong teeth.

Five Facts About Snails 

1. Some snail species can hibernate for up to three years when faced with extreme weather conditions, such as droughts or cold temperatures.

2. Snails possess a ribbon-like tongue called a radula, which is covered in thousands of tiny, tooth-like structures used to scrape or cut food.

3. Most land snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs, allowing them to reproduce with any other snail of their species.

4. A few marine snail species, like certain clusters of Hinea brasiliana, can produce bioluminescence, emitting light to deter predators or attract mates.

5. Relative to their size, snails are surprisingly strong and can carry objects up to ten times their body weight, thanks to their powerful muscular foot.