When we found our snail house guests out in the rain last month, it became an observation lesson for us. I initially thought snails only had 2 tentacles on top its head. In reality, they have 2 sets of antennae: top for vision (almost double the length of the lower one); lower tentacle for feeling and sensing.
Snails move quickly and constantly explore new nooks and crannies in their habitat. Two of our snails ate through half a blueberry, chomped up the top layer of a cut carrot, and ate through leaves. Another interesting fact: We discovered a round opening on the side that we never noticed with our aquatic snails. It’s only visible when the snail is stretching. I thought it was a poop hole since the poop exits from its side into a long, ropey string.
The one you see below is its breathing pore. Its body is small, but all of its parts are intricately designed.
Both were released at the end of the week with disposable chopsticks and are back in their natural habitat.
Frontal view of all 4 antennae
5 responses to “Snail’s breathing pore, aka pneumostome”
I never realized they would come out their shells that much – amazing!
I had no idea either! They probably will not stretch that far in daylight or else they’re going to get eaten.
This was our first close-up observation, so we got to see a lot of its behaviors and patterns. I’m glad to share something new about snails with you!!
I’ve really only seen them in an aquarium, and they are more inside the shell – yes, I did learn something and you’re never too old to learn!
Never too old to learn! I hope everyone can keep that mindset to be life-long learners.
I agree!