A snail is a soft-bodied animal belonging to the mollusk group, usually recognized by its coiled shell. Snails live in a wide range of environments, including gardens, forests, deserts, freshwater habitats, and oceans.

Snail

Key FactsClassification: Snails are part of the class Gastropoda, which also includes slugs.Shell: Most snails carry a hard shell made mainly of calcium carbonate that protects them from predators and drying out.Movement: They move using a muscular foot and a layer of mucus (slime), which reduces friction.Diet: Many land snails eat plants, fungi, and decaying matter, while some aquatic species are predators.Lifespan: Depending on the species, snails can live from 1–25 years.Speed: Snails are famous for moving slowly—typically less than 1 meter per hour.Interesting FeaturesSnails have thousands of tiny teeth arranged on a ribbon-like tongue called a radula.Some snails can hibernate during cold weather or enter a dormant state during droughts.Most land snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs.Importance in NatureHelp decompose dead plant material.Serve as food for birds, frogs, beetles, and other animals.Some species can be agricultural pests, while others are important indicators of environmental health.Largest Snail