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The name snail applies to most members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells. Snails are found in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments. Most are of herbivorous nature, though a few land species and many marine species may be omnivores or carnivores. Other gastropods, which lack a conspicuous shell, are commonly called slugs, and are scattered throughout groups that primarily include snails. While most people are familiar with only terrestrial snails, the majority of snails are not terrestrial. Snails with lungs belong to the group Pulmonata, while those with gills form a paraphyletic group.
Physical characteristics
Snails move like earthworms by alternating body contractions with stretching, with a proverbially low speed (1 mm/s is a typical speed for adult helix lucorum ). They produce mucus in order to aid locomotion by reducing friction. The mucus also reduces the snail's risk of injury (snails can crawl over razor blades without injury) and helps keep away dangerous insects like ants. When retracted into their shells, snails secrete a special type of mucus which dries to cover the entrance of their shells with a 'trapdoor' like structure called an operculum. This is similar to some slug species which build a shell-like object below their upper skin to prevent drying out. The operculum of some snails has a pleasant scent when burned, so it is sometimes used as an ingredient in incense.
In winter or in dry seasons, some snail species hibernate in their shells by building an operculum for protection, and which is destroyed in spring or when their surroundings becomes wetter. Some species gather and hibernate in groups while others bury themselves before hibernating.
More on [ Snail ]
Invertebrates :: Exotic
Gastropoda :: Mollusca
Escargot :: Specialty and Gourmet
I need to find a crap load of snails. Real ones. Where? #fb
nareshnaresh (Naresh) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:49 -0000
I need to find a crap load of snails. Real ones. Where? #fb
@fantasy411 The 4/5 is BRUTAL this morning, running at a snails pace and packed in like cattle.
TheRealSoxy (ZDT) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:16:24 -0000
@fantasy411 The 4/5 is BRUTAL this morning, running at a snails pace and packed in like cattle.
@Lottejackson my pet snails
LEGRO (DAVID LE GRYS) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08:06 -0000
@Lottejackson my pet snails
Packaging of snails in their own excrements, my latest for @superuse http://tinyurl.com/yd84bfw
johnbosma (john bosma) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:42 -0000
Packaging of snails in their own excrements, my latest for @superuse http://tinyurl.com/yd84bfw
@Micalanne Snails only have one foot. Should have been 'with barefoot'.
AndrewRatcliffe (Andrew Ratcliffe) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:52:15 -0000
@Micalanne Snails only have one foot. Should have been 'with barefoot'.
Nassarius Vibex snails http://bit.ly/7SJtM 50 cents each, $9.99 shipping!!! Lowest price on the web!!
ADNUPAquatics (Paul @ ADNUPAquatics) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:52:11 -0000
Nassarius Vibex snails http://bit.ly/7SJtM 50 cents each, $9.99 shipping!!! Lowest price on the web!!
Breeding and Growing Snails Commercially in Australia - Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation's report compiled after three years of comprehensive research.
Escargot Passion - Experimental snail breeder. Information on snail farming (heliciculture) and cooking; genetic improvement to a breeding strain: the 'Blond des Flandres'; discussion forum, and links to commercial snail farms.
Meta Description: [ Comment elever les escargots et les cuisiner; snail farming and cooking; heliciculture; amelioration genetique de l'escargot petit-gris; genetic improvement of helix aspersa. ]
Escargots Funcia - Commercial organisation in Brazil specialising in snail production. Courses, books and videos on snail farming are offered along with additional snippets about snails in medicine, architecture, on stamps etc.
Meta Description: [ Escargots FUNCIA. Conheça o mundo da Helicicultura. ]
Farming Edible Snails - Lessons from Italy - Commissioned by the Australian RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation), this report contains detailed information on most aspects of large scale outdoor cultivation of snails in Italy.
Meta Description: [ Summary of report: Farming Edible Snails– lessons from Italy ]
First Co-Operative of Snail Breeders - Organisation of approximately 100 farms in the territory of Serbia and Montenegro. Arranges advice,lectures, farm visits and supply of snail breeding equipment.
Helix - Snail Culture - Description and photographs of a Portugese snail production facility that exports its entire output to France.
Istituto Elicicoltura - Italian based institute offering technical assistance to snail farmers. Includes information on species, breeding structures, production, and snails as they relate to science.
Raising Snails (from AFSIC) - Heliciculture guide covering various aspects of raising edible terrestrial snails, including common species, soil conditions, feeding, harvesting, import regulations, and an extensive bibliography. From The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center at the US National Agricultural Library.
Meta Description: [ Raising Snails. By Rebecca Thompson and Sheldon Cheney. Compiled for the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, NAL/ARS/USDA, www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/. ]
Snail Farming In Australia - Summary of working with snails in Australian conditions. The information is written by Sonya Begg, an internationally active promoter of snail farming. Contains excerpts from her book and recipes for cooking snails.
Snail Farming in the UK - Collection of information about snail farming in the UK and diary of an amateur snail breeder.
Meta Description: [ Heliciculture - Snail farming in the UK - Escargot - Snails for food. Resource in English for snail farmers by an amateur snail farmer. Great Britain. Information about cooking and eating snails ]
South West Snails - UK Snail farmer describes how they raise and sell quality english escargot. Live, in-shell, de-shelled snail meat and speciality butters available
Meta Description: [ Know where your meat comes from and enjoy the special flavour and crackling of old breed pork. Wealso have the South WestÂ’s only Snail Farm and process on the farm to our own special recipe ]
The Trail of the Snail - Contains scientific as well as more whimsical information about snails, and includes many photographs.
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