Snails Or Slugs?.......Northwest Cascade Wanderings
Snails or slugs-what’s your preference?
Well honestly, I’d have to say I’d choose a snail over a slug any day!
Slugs-well they are super slimy and nasty all around! I mean- have you ever stepped on one barefoot?! Eeewwwww! 😝 No thanks!
That guy resembles what I call ‘army man’ slug due to his coloring. Others can look like this guy….
…. I’d call him ‘poo slug’ for he resembles- well you get the idea. There’s ‘camo slug’ who I don’t have an example of and a couple others.
Here’s an army man slug with a bit of a pine needle Pom-pom on its tail.
The biggest difference between the snail and the slug is the obvious; slugs have no outer shell.
I asked GROK for specifics, and here’s what it said:
Snails and slugs are both gastropod mollusks, but the key difference is that snails have a hard, coiled external shell they can retract into for protection, while slugs lack a prominent external shell or have only a small, internal one. Here’s a breakdown of their differences:
• Shell:
• Snails: Possess a visible, spiral shell made of calcium carbonate, which they use for defense and to prevent dehydration.
• Slugs: Either have no shell or a small, vestigial internal shell (e.g., in some species like banana slugs), leaving their soft bodies more exposed.
• Body Structure:
• Snails: Their body is adapted to fit inside the shell, with a muscular foot for movement and a mantle that secretes the shell.
• Slugs: Have a similar body structure but are more elongated and flexible due to the absence of a rigid shell, making them more vulnerable to predators and desiccation.
• Habitat and Behavior:
• Snails: Found in diverse environments (land, freshwater, marine), often retreating into their shells in dry or dangerous conditions.
• Slugs: Prefer moist environments (e.g., gardens, forests) since they lack a shell to retain moisture, making them more susceptible to drying out.
• Movement:
• Both move using a muscular foot and secrete mucus to glide, but slugs often leave more noticeable slime trails due to their exposed bodies.
• Diet:
• Both are generally herbivores or detritivores, eating plants, fungi, or decaying matter, though some species are omnivorous or carnivorous. No significant dietary difference exists.
• Defense:
• Snails: Rely on their shell to protect against predators and environmental stress.
• Slugs: Use mucus (sometimes toxic or foul-tasting) and camouflage to deter predators, as they lack the physical barrier of a shell.
In essence, the shell is the primary distinguishing feature, impacting their appearance, behavior, and environmental adaptability.
Snails at least, are prettier than slugs and way less slimy! Snails are also, in my opinion, easier on the eyes. Take these guys in comparison.
See what I mean? Also you won’t get ‘slimed’ by picking them up and moving them to safety. I’ll move a snail but the slugs are on their own!
That’s gonna be it for today. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day wherever you are! 🙏🌏🙏
👣🐑☕️🌻🐌😊🌧️😎👍😁
NKJV Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Picture taken by me and altered by cliptocomic app
@elizabethbit is a member of ladiesofsgs4eva
a sweet group of lady stackers of SGH
