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

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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.

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