The image above shows a snail, a type of gastropod mollusk belonging to the class Gastropoda. With over 40,000 species worldwide, snails are incredibly diverse and can be found in almost every corner of the globe. In China alone, they inhabit forests, shrubs, orchards, vegetable gardens, farmlands, homes, parks, temples, mountains, plains, and hills. While most species aren’t suitable for consumption, some are valued as a high-protein, low-fat food source and as animal feed, gaining increasing attention in recent years.
Snails have a strong preference for moist environments. Although they live on land, they thrive in humid conditions and are highly sensitive to air moisture. Their skin and muscles react to humidity levels, and after rainy nights, they become particularly active. This is why many people notice snails crawling on trees, leaves, or grass before it rains—some even call them natural barometers. Studies show that snails remain sensitive to humidity even indoors, especially when placed under a glass cover. Species that prefer wet habitats will struggle in dry conditions and seek out more suitable places.
Snails also display fascinating instincts. For example, Darwin once recorded a peculiar story: two snails were found in a small garden with scarce food. One was weak and slow, so the stronger one left its companion and moved to a nearby garden full of food. After returning, it led the weaker snail to the new location. This suggests a unique sense of awareness or instinct.
Another interesting behavior is their ability to return to their original hiding spots daily. In an experiment, seven snails were marked and observed under a stone. At night, some disappeared but returned by morning. Over several days, nearly all of them consistently returned to the same spot. Some species even avoid areas they dislike, like the smell of charcoal, and take long routes to reach food, only to return home afterward.
Snails are remarkably resilient. They can survive extreme conditions like cold, heat, drought, and hunger. During winter, they enter hibernation, shrinking into their shells and sealing the opening with a white mucus layer. In hot climates, they sleep through summer, often using light-colored shells to reflect heat or thick shells to protect against the sun. Some African snails even survive in arid regions with minimal vegetation.
One remarkable case involved two snails kept in a museum for nearly four years without food or water. When discovered in 1850, one had a new mucous membrane at the shell’s edge. After being placed in warm water, it emerged, ate cabbage leaves, and recovered within months. This incredible survival ability is rare among animals, surpassed only by certain insects. Snails can live up to 4–6 years without food or moisture, showcasing their amazing adaptability and endurance.
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