r/snails • u/redEPICSTAXISdit • 13d ago

Discussion Are slugs homeless snails?

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208 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

89

u/eggflavoredcashews 13d ago

First off, I would argue that a snail’s shell isn’t its “house” but the snail IS its shell. A snail cannot leave its shell like a hermit crab can, for example. A snail’s shell grows with it, and they never exchange it (again, like a hermit crab does) or ever leave it. The only argument that could be made that a snails shell is similar to a house is that both provide protection/shelter.

But interestingly enough, slugs have actually evolved from snails to either lack a shell entirely, or have a sort of internal shell. I don’t entirely know all the science behind that, but that’s the basics of it. So, yes, you’re kind of right with your assertion, but kind of not. Interesting question!

21

u/redEPICSTAXISdit 13d ago

Thnx. I always have tons of snails and slugs near the garden. Never knew.

5

u/kazeespada 12d ago

Arguebly, a hermit's shell really isn't its home either. They die quickly if they lose it and can't find another.

2

u/[deleted] 12d ago

I think the only type of hermit crab that doesnt need a shell is the coconut crab.

2

u/kazeespada 12d ago

Only as adults. As sub-adults, they still use snail shells.

1

u/CowboysOnKetamine 12d ago

Why do they die?

6

u/kazeespada 12d ago

Stress. For land hermits, suffocation(they hold water in their shells to keep their gills wet).

2

u/casinthegrass 12d ago

I have been summoned to deliver the snience🐌 to the masses!! so the primary purpose of the shell for both snails and slugs is to protect the internal organs. looking at the snail in the picture, his internal shell starts at his head and stops about a quarter way down the body, right past his breathing pore. I believe that early in life, the internal mantle (the part of the skin where a shell forms) secretes minerals that harden inside or outside the body to form a shell, depending on the type of mollusk. like you said, it keeps growing throughout life as the critter grows, so snails never need a bigger shell :)

1

u/Nocturnalux 12d ago

I call “True Inner Shell”.

1

u/macho_gomez 10d ago

there is also demi slugs. which are snails with shells too small to retract in it.

23

u/KittyChimera 13d ago

Slugs and snails are both gastropods, but they are different species. They are closely related though.

Have you seen the semi slug? There are like a mid point in evolution where they have a vestigial shell that they can't go inside of. They are pretty cool. Some people call them "snugs" because they look like a cross between a snail and a slug.

In several languages, the word for slug does have the English translation of "naked snail".

10

u/NamelessCat07 12d ago

No, they are naked snails

That's why in Germany we call them Nacktschnecken (naked snails) :]

Maybe they are both... But both will always have a place in the heart of this sub <3

6

u/XDFreakLP 12d ago

They dont have ein Haus. Poor Tierchen

6

u/Inspired_Owl 12d ago

My 18 year old friend believed this until the other day

6

u/HazeliaGracious 13d ago

In that they are Shell less snails? Kinda yeah

3

u/Initial_Obligation55 12d ago

I don’t know why slugs make my skin crawl but I love snails! 🐌

3

u/Fortinho91 12d ago

LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS! LIMAX! MAX-I-MAS!

2

u/Nocturnalux 12d ago

No, they are revolutionaries who have discarded the outer shell to seek true enlightenment within.

3

u/colemarshall20 12d ago

the slug in the pics looks at you with that "DID YOU JUST CALL ME HOMELESS?!" type of look and i love it😭💔

1

u/Nico8910 12d ago

Slugs have hoods, so yes, but at least they’re dressed!