Can Mr. Snail or snails see?

Mr. Snail can see!

Can Mr. Snail see my love?

It is interesting to learn about Mr. Snail's perspective of the big, wide world. We keep moving in our fast-paced lives, but if we slowed down and saw the world with a snail's lens, what would we see?

Often, when I feed Mr. Snail, I ask myself if Mr. Snail can see me feeding it or see me waving at them with a wide smile!

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How do snails perceive visual stimuli?

The science surrounding snails suggests that snails do have two eyes that can be seen as tiny dots on their tentacle bulbs. Mr. Snail or Snails have lenses in their eyes. The lenses have the optic nerve with light-refracting gelatinous material and blood vessels. Optic nerves generally transmit visual information from the brain to the eyes and back.

The outer walls of the tentacles contain transparent cells that protect Mr. Snail's corneal skin. Interestingly, Mr. Snail's body has special cells that sense light. This may be why snails retract into their shells when they sense a shadow over them, thinking that it could be unusual light activity.

We often talk about seeing sunlight but do not consider sensing sunlight. Learning about snails and their optical structure has made me conscious of my senses.

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Is there a difference between a human friend and a snail friend?

My relationship with snails is teaching me a lot about myself and my world. Last week, I read a book about investing during my snail time. Mr. Snail's company helped me feel like I was reading and playing with a friend. Investing can be a tough topic to learn. Mr. Snail lightened the mood for me. Maybe it is the time I have spent with them but snails feel less like my snail friends and more like my human friends. I realize that they are my friends, regardless of our differences.

I love snails.

How about you, my friend?

-Don't be a stranger,

Pranita

Science Communicator and Author

P.S. - I use the term Mr. Snail affectionately to describe the snail that I feed on particular days :). To respect the content in this post, I humbly request readers to look at snails as sacred beings that are equal to human beings.

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Reference: German Fact Sheet - information om sniglar - Snails  Snails Snails are very suitable for use in - Studocu. Studocu. Published 2019. Accessed April 21, 2025. https://www.studocu.com/sv/document/st-peters-school/biologi-2-teknikprogrammet/german-fact-sheet-information-om-sniglar/99759037

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