Mr. Snail's cool shell

I find Mr. Snail (snails) cool. Their shells make them look cool. I've been lucky, as the snail world has trusted me to show different movements of their shells.

It is exciting to feel Mr. Snail's shell move in my hand because I am kinesthetic!

Snail research suggests that snails have spiral-shaped shells attached to their bodies. Snails typically use their shells to rest inside of them or to retract during danger. The shells also protect the snails from drying out of mucous and its slime.

I think the shells help Mr. Snail with movement and shelter as well.

I've seen Mr. Snail's shells move at varied degrees when they move from one spot to another on the walls. Again, it was a cool thing to watch! I felt like I was witnessing something that was special to nature and the snails.

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Here's an interesting fact: Mr. Snail's body is asymmetrical to its shell. Using an empty shell, one can see the mirror image of a snail and its body.

Have you ever seen a snail's shell?

I realize that most snails have shells with spirals that coil left to right. According to research, 10% of the global snail population could have shells that coil right to left, too, and this is due to a genetic mutational difference.

I've had the chance to play with baby snails as well. Younger snails have almost transparent shells. As they grow older, their glands solidify the shells with calcium carbonate. Hence, the shells of developed snails look bigger than baby snails.

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In a way, snail shells seem similar to the skulls of humans. When we are babies, our skulls are soft. As we develop, our skulls get tougher and bigger in size.

When I speak about snails, people often express the unusualness of spending time with snails. In reality, they may not be too different from us, humans.

The difference is mostly in our minds and hearts.

We believe what we can relate to.

Hence, I sincerely hope, that you, my dear reader, relate to the gentleness and beauty of the snail world.

In my experience, snails may be slow, but they are magical too!

-Don't be a stranger,

Pranita

Reference:

University of Montana. Snails - Agresearch. Montana State University

https://agresearch.montana.edu/wtarc/producerinfo/entomology-insect-ecology/EasternHeathSnail/GermanFactSheet.pdf

The Structure of Snail Shells Explained | Britannica. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. ; 2024. https://www.britannica.com/video/Overview-snail-shells/-193551

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