There are a lot of snails where I live at the moment, some have a shell while others don’t! I don’t know how they acquire their shell, what it is used for, and why some don’t have any.
In: Biology
Snails are born with their shells!
When a snail hatches from its egg, it already has a tiny, soft shell. As the snail grows, it adds new material to the edge of its shell, making it larger and stronger over time. The shell is made of something called calcium carbonate, which the snail gets from its food and the environment.
The shell serves as the snail’s home and protection. It helps keep the snail’s soft body safe from predators, harsh weather, and other dangers. When threatened, a snail can retract its body completely into its shell and seal the opening with a layer of mucus to stay safe.
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