Snails are more than just slow-moving creatures with shells. They belong to a group called gastropods, which is part of the larger mollusk family. This group includes both snails and slugs, with slugs being snails without shells. There are between 60,000 to 80,000 different species of these fascinating invertebrates around the world!
Snails have adapted to live in almost every environment on Earth. You can find them in trees, on land, in streams, and even in the deep ocean. At the Field Museum, there is a huge collection of over 4.5 million snail and slug specimens, with about 30% being marine snails that live in the ocean.
One of the most interesting snails is the scaly-footed snail, also known as the magneto snail. This snail is unique because some of its populations have magnetic properties due to iron sulfide in their shells. This is the only animal known to use iron in its skeleton. These snails get their energy from sulfur, in a process similar to how plants use sunlight in photosynthesis.
While many people think of snails as simple creatures, they have evolved into many different and complex forms. For example, the violet snail floats on the ocean using a bubble raft it creates itself. This snail hangs upside down, with a darker underside that helps it blend in with the ocean from above.
Some snails, like cone snails, are predators. There are about 500 species of cone snails, and they hunt marine worms and even fish. Despite being slow, cone snails have a venomous harpoon-like tooth that can paralyze their prey in seconds.
Snails come in all shapes and sizes. The largest living snail species is believed to be the *Searings aruanus*, while one of the smallest, the *Omalogy*, is only about 3mm long but still has a complete shell.
Another fascinating snail is the carrier shell, or *Zenor*. These snails attach objects to their shells using their foot, making them look like a pile of debris. This clever disguise helps them avoid predators.
Snails are truly amazing creatures with many secrets yet to be discovered. They have lifestyles and behaviors that scientists are still trying to understand. There’s so much more to learn about these incredible animals!
Thanks for exploring the world of snails with us!
Imagine you’re a snail expert! Use a shoebox to create a diorama of a snail’s habitat. Include elements like trees, water, and rocks to show where snails live. Think about the different environments snails can be found in and choose one to recreate. Share your diorama with the class and explain why you chose that particular habitat.
Pick one of the fascinating snail species mentioned in the article, such as the scaly-footed snail or the violet snail. Research more about your chosen snail and create a poster that includes interesting facts, its habitat, and any unique features. Present your findings to the class and teach them something new about your snail.
In groups, choose a type of snail and create a short skit that demonstrates its unique adaptations. For example, you could show how the carrier shell snail uses objects for camouflage or how the cone snail hunts its prey. Perform your skit for the class and discuss what makes each snail’s adaptation special.
Work with a partner to design a board game that teaches players about the different types of snails and their habitats. Include challenges or questions about snail adaptations and predators. Once your game is complete, play it with your classmates and see who can become the ultimate snail expert!
Start a snail observation journal. Spend time outside looking for snails in their natural habitat. Record your observations, including the snail’s appearance, behavior, and environment. Draw sketches and write about what you find. Share your journal entries with the class and discuss the diversity of snails you observed.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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So, snails—there’s much more to these fascinating invertebrates than meets the eye. The Field Museum has a vast collection of snails and slugs, totaling over 4.5 million specimens. Many of the snails are represented by their shells. If you’re wondering about the difference, slugs are essentially snails without shells. They all belong to the gastropod group, which falls under the mollusk category, and there may be as many as 60,000 to 80,000 species of slugs and snails today.
These creatures have managed to thrive in nearly every environment on Earth, from trees and land to streams and even hydrothermal vents deep below the surface of the Indian Ocean. In fact, 30% of the Field’s collection of snails are marine species. I wanted to learn more about them, so we went to find an expert.
Hello, I’m Yen, and I’m the collections manager of invertebrates at the Field Museum. You’ve brought so many diverse and amazing snails, but there’s one thing that unites all of the ones we have here—they’re all marine snails. The first one I wanted to start with is this unique specimen here, which is in a jar unlike the others.
This is the scaly-footed snail, often referred to as the magneto snail for a good reason. Some populations have been found to be magnetic because they contain iron sulfide, similar to magnetite, in their exoskeleton. No other snail or animal in the world uses iron compounds for its skeleton. These snails derive their energy-rich substances from sulfur through a process somewhat similar to photosynthesis.
It seems like a sophisticated biology for something that many people might consider a simple organism. Most people think of snails as slow and primitive, but they have evolved into many different and highly sophisticated life forms. For example, the violet snail drifts over the oceans on a bubble raft that it produces itself, hanging upside down. The underside is darker, which serves as a camouflage mechanism, making it harder to see from above.
Marine snails inhabit all marine environments, from above the waterline to the deep sea. For instance, cone snails, of which there are about 500 species, are mostly predators that eat marine worms and even fish. You might think fish are much faster than snails, but cone snails have a venom gland that produces effective nerve venom. They have modified radular teeth that act like a hollow harpoon, allowing them to sneak up on fish and paralyze them within seconds.
Within this diversity of diet and habitats, there’s also remarkable variation in shape and size. For instance, the *Searings aruanus* is believed to be the largest living snail species, while on the other end of the spectrum, the *Omalogy* is only about 3mm in size but has a complete shell.
One of the most exciting species we have here are the carrier shells, or *Zenor*. While the shell may seem relatively ordinary, if you turn it around, you’ll see various objects attached to it. When alive, the snail manipulates these objects with its foot, securing them until the cement dries. This behavior serves as camouflage, making the snail look like a pile of debris rather than a snail.
We find these snails fascinating; they resemble a beautiful hat from the early 20th century. There are at least six different species involved in their shell collection. They may have a lifestyle that we still don’t fully understand, and there’s so much more to learn about these animals.
I’m excited to follow the world of snails closely from now on.
Thank you for joining us!
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The transcript has been cleaned up for clarity and readability while maintaining the original content’s essence.
Snails – Small, slow-moving creatures with a coiled shell, belonging to the class Gastropoda. – Snails are often found in gardens, where they feed on plants and leaves.
Gastropods – A large class of mollusks that includes snails and slugs, characterized by a single, usually spirally coiled shell. – Gastropods can be found in a variety of environments, from gardens to the ocean floor.
Mollusk – A diverse group of invertebrate animals, many of which have a soft body and a hard shell, such as snails, clams, and octopuses. – The octopus is a fascinating mollusk known for its intelligence and ability to change color.
Environment – The natural world or ecosystem in which living organisms exist and interact. – Protecting the environment is crucial for the survival of many species on Earth.
Marine – Related to the sea or ocean, especially in terms of living organisms and ecosystems. – Coral reefs are vibrant marine ecosystems that support a wide variety of life.
Iron – A chemical element that is essential for the production of hemoglobin in living organisms. – Iron is an important nutrient that helps transport oxygen in the blood of animals.
Sulfur – A chemical element that is found in nature and is important for the growth of plants and animals. – Sulfur is a key component of certain amino acids and vitamins in living organisms.
Photosynthesis – The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll. – Photosynthesis allows plants to convert sunlight into energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct.
Predators – Animals that hunt and eat other animals for food. – In the wild, predators like lions play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Species – A group of living organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. – The giant panda is an endangered species that is native to China.
