There is some debate over whether or not snail is a mammal. Some people say that because they have a shell they must be classified as a reptile. However others say that because they have a heart and lungs and are warm-blooded they must be classified as a mammal.
Here are some facts about snails:
-They are invertebrates meaning they don’t have a backbone.
-They are found in fresh water salt water and on land.
-They have a head with eyes and tentacles and a muscular foot for crawling.
-They have a shell on their back which is made of calcium carbonate.
-They breathe through their skin.
-They are hermaphrodites meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs.
-They lay eggs which are then incubated in the soil for about two weeks before hatching.
Now that we know a little bit about snails let’s look at the debate over whether or not they are mammals.
The main difference between mammals and reptiles is that mammals are warm-blooded meaning they can maintain their body temperature regardless of the temperature of their environment. Reptiles on the other hand are cold-blooded meaning their body temperature changes with the temperature of their environment.
So are snails warm-blooded or cold-blooded? The answer is that they are actually both. They are what is known as poikilothermic which means that their body temperature changes with the temperature of their environment. In other words they are warm-blooded in warm environments and cold-blooded in cold environments.
So if snails are both warm-blooded and cold-blooded where does that leave us in the debate over whether or not they are mammals?
Well the main difference between mammals and reptiles is that mammals are vertebrates meaning they have a backbone while reptiles are invertebrates meaning they don’t have a backbone. Snails are invertebrates so they are more closely related to reptiles than they are to mammals.
However there are some mammals that are also invertebrates such as the duck-billed platypus and the spiny anteater. So just because a creature is an invertebrate doesn’t mean it can’t be a mammal.
So what other characteristics do mammals have that snails don’t?
Mammals are characterized by having hair and producing milk to feed their young. Snails don’t have hair and they don’t produce milk.
However not all mammals have hair and not all mammals produce milk. For example whales and dolphins are mammals but they don’t have hair and they don’t produce milk. So the lack of hair and milk production doesn’t necessarily mean that a creature isn’t a mammal.
So what does all of this mean?
Well based on the definition of a mammal it is clear that snails are not mammals. However they are more closely related to mammals than they are to reptiles and they share some characteristics with mammals.
So while snails are not technically mammals they are still fascinating creatures that are worth learning more about.
What is a snail?
Answer: A snail is a small usually harmless land-dwelling mollusc.
Where do snails live?
Answer: Snails can live in a variety of habitats including fresh water marine environments and on land.
How long do snails live?
Answer: The lifespan of a snail varies depending on the species but most snails live between 2 and 5 years.
What do snails eat?
Answer: Snails are herbivores and eat a variety of plants algae and vegetable matter.
How do snails reproduce?
Answer: Most snails are hermaphrodites meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs.
Do all snails have shells?
Answer: No not all snails have shells.
Some species of snail such as the slug have lost their shells through evolution.
How do snails move?
Answer: Snails move by gliding along on their muscular foot.
They secrete a slimy substance that helps them to move and also protects them from drying out.
How do snails breathe?
Answer: Snails breathe through a pair of lungs located in their body.
They also have a pair of gills that they use to breathe when they are submerged in water.
What is the purpose of a snail’s shell?
Answer: A snail’s shell provides protection from predators and the environment.
It also helps the snail to retain moisture.
How many different species of snail are there?
Answer: There are thought to be over 60000 different species of snail.
What is the largest species of snail?
Answer: The largest species of snail is the giant African snail which can grow up to 30cm in length.
What is the smallest species of snail?
Answer: The smallest species of snail is the pygmy snail which can be as small as 1mm in length.
Are snails dangerous?
Answer: No snails are not dangerous.
Some species of snail can carry diseases but they are not harmful to humans.
Do snails make good pets?
Answer: Yes some people keep snails as pets.
They are easy to care for and don’t require a lot of space.
What do snails use to glide along?
Answer: Snails use a muscular foot to glide along.
They secrete a slimy substance that helps them to move and also protects them from drying out.
