How Does A Snail Breathe

When it comes to respiration snails possess what is known as a pneumostome. This is a small hole-like opening located on the right side of the snail’s body just behind the head. When the snail is at rest the pneumostome is kept closed by a small flap of skin called the operculum. However when the snail is actively breathing the operculum is opened and air is taken in through the pneumostome.

While the process of taking in air may appear to be simple there is actually a lot going on inside the snail’s body when it breathe. When air enters the pneumostome it travels down a small tube known as the pneumostome canal. This canal leads to the snail’s respiratory tree.

The respiratory tree is a series of small tubes that branch off from the pneumostome canal and travel throughout the snail’s body. These tubes are known as arteries and they deliver oxygen-rich blood to the various tissues and organs of the snail’s body.

So how does the air get from the pneumostome to the respiratory tree? Well it’s actually a two-step process. First the air enters the pneumostome and travels down the pneumostome canal. From there the air enters a second series of tubes known as the ctenidia.

The ctenidia are a series of small finger-like projections that line the inside of the snail’s shell. These projections help to increase the surface area of the respiratory tree and as a result help the snail to breathe more effectively.

Once the air enters the ctenidia it is then distributed to the various arteries of the respiratory tree. These arteries then transport the oxygen-rich blood to the snail’s tissues and organs.

So that’s how a snail breathes! It’s a two-step process that begins with the snail taking in air through its pneumostome. From there the air travels down the pneumostome canal and into the ctenidia. From the ctenidia the air is distributed to the respiratory tree and ultimately to the various tissues and organs of the snail’s body.

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How does a snail breathe?

Answer:

A snail breathes using a lung located in its upper body cavity.

This lung is attached to the snail’s heart and opens to the outside through a pneumostome.

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