Land Snails

Land snails are mollusks with soft, moist bodies encased in a coiled, protective shell. They are slow-moving creatures that thrive in a variety of terrestrial environments, such as gardens, forests, and fields. Snails have a muscular foot that glides over surfaces, aided by mucus they secrete to reduce friction. They are herbivores, feeding mainly on plants, fungi, and decaying organic matter. Land snails play important roles in ecosystems by recycling nutrients and serving as prey for many animals. They reproduce sexually and often have shells that grow larger as the snail matures.