Literature Review of Snails

Walking on water? No problem for snails. New invention for underwater propulsion!

The motion of the water snail is by undulation of the snail foot that is separated from the free surface by a thin layer of mucus. By assuming the shape of the snail foot to be a traveling sine wave and the mucus to be Newtonian, an evolution equation for the interface shape is obtained and the resulting propulsive force on the snail can be calculated.

Snail crawling underneath water surface recorded in Germany!

The undulation of the snail foot causes surface deformations with a characteristic wavelength of 1 mm and amplitude of 0.2–0.3 mm. This deformation appears to travel in the opposite direction of the snail motion, suggesting the generation of retrograde waves.

Another notable feature of water snail propulsion is the presence of a trail of mucus. For land snails, this mucus layer is typically 10 – 20 micrometer in thickness; as with land snails its rheological characteristics may also play a significant role in underwater locomotion. Since these water snails are also able to crawl on solid substrates, one might venture that their mucus properties do not differ too greatly from those of land snails. 

Discussion on the locomotion of the water snails and its comparison with land snails:

The interplay between the free surface and the snail foot distinguishes water snail locomotion from that of their terrestrial counterparts. The shape of the snail foot alone determines the pressure and shear stresses generated within the mucus layer. For water snails, however, the interface is deformed due to the flow created in the mucus by the foot undulation; the interface, in turn, affects the dynamics within the mucus layer, creating pressure and shear stresses that act on the foot. This nonlinear coupling between the foot geometry, surface tension, and dynamics within the mucus layer makes the water snail locomotion a less straightforward mode of loco- motion. 

This study is only the first step towards a quantitative understanding of gastropod crawling beneath free surfaces. 

Know your snail!

Information about these snails were tabulated to show the differences between them. Many snails come in different shapes and sizes, and snails exist in almost every part of the world as well.

Types of Snails (Open in new tab to enlarge)

Life Cycle of a Snail

Once we've understood some examples of different snails species, next would be a table explaining the life cycle of Snails, from birth to adulthood and then reproduction.

Life Cycle of Snail (Open in new tab to enlarge)

More Facts!

Overall we'd like to conclude this post with a table of interesting snail facts. Snails are commonly known to be slow, but they make up for it with special abilities and traits. 

Facts (Open in new tab to enlarge)

Small In Size. Complete With Organs.

Snails, being strange creatures exist and survive in nature due to their unique characteristics  and abilities. Today, we will share what we have researched about the snail anatomy.

Snails are very similar in many ways just like the human body. They have lungs, a liver, stomach, kidneys, etc just like humans do. The big difference would be that most of the vital organs of a snail are positioned within their shells for the most protection from harm.

Many snails have tentacles, used to "see" but with poor eyesight. They overcome this with their great sense of smell. They also have a mouth at the bottom of their heads.

Snails have great sense of smell

The shell is the most recognized feature of a snail. Made of calcium carbonate, it grows with the size of the snail and serves as a mobile home for them. Snails use their shell to protect themselves from predators smaller than them. Even though snails move slowly from place to place, they are quick to enter their shells whenever danger is present.

Rocks are made of Calcium Carbonate as well

Snails technically have only one foot, they move slowly by contracting and releasing their muscles to push themselves forward leaving behind a trail of mucus. The mucus acts as a lubricant to reduce friction while moving. With less friction, injury can be avoided while moving. Therefore, they can move on sharp objects without injuring themselves. Apart from that, this mucus also allows snails to move upside down and in between corners.

Snails are able to move over the edge of a knife without hurting themself

Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Snails - But Now You Do!

Snails are known as one of the earliest types of inhabitants in the world. Evidences have shown that these creatures have evolved for more than 600 million years ago. The adapt easily to various surroundings and do not require large quantities of food.

Read on to find out some interesting facts about snails that usually go unnoticed and hope this will help you get to know these little creatures better! Happy reading!

• Snails can carry things up to 10 times than their own body weight while vertically placed.

• They are DEAF, not able to hear and unlike other animals. They can't make sounds to call out to their prospective mate; thus, they use touching as a way of courting.

• A snail’s shell is made of Calcium Carbonate which becomes STRONGER with age if the snail consumes a calcium-rich diet. Contrarily, the shell turns brittle and cracks up if it lives on a diet containing less calcium

• All eggs that do not hatch are eaten by the newborns. This gives them an opportunity to make their shells stronger as the eggs that do not hatch contain calcium in abundance.

• It is due to the slime that snails are able to move upside down, around corners, and through other various trajectories without falling.

• Baby snails are born with tiny shells on their backs and have bodies that seem almost transparent.

• Just as a tree’s age can be calculated by counting the rings formed inside its bark, one can determine a snail’s age by totaling the spiral rings on its shell. Each year, a new spiral ring grows on a snail’s shell, referred to as a whorl.

• Contrary to the popular belief, snail slime does not carry harmful bacteria.

• Both salt and sugar are poisonous to snails.

A Brief Introduction About Our Blog and Us

Hello! Welcome to Mushi The Snail!

This is the work of 6 final year students from Taylor's University currently undertaking the Engineering and Biomimetics subject.

Front Row: Dr Yong Leng Chuan and You Liang
Back Row: Yong Ni, Melissa, Geok Hwa, Navid, Clinton

Our main objectives are

• Observe and evaluate how the features of the snail can contribute to engineering design which can bring benefits to the society. 
• Thus, our blog title: "Design Inspired By Nature".

We will be monitoring and observing the anatomy and features of the snail each week and update this blog with useful information and interesting facts you never knew about snails. 

Try spotting baby 'Mushi's in the picture!

Hope you enjoy reading it and help share the knowledge to others! :)