Book 11, Question 113
Why Do Land Snails Seal Their Shell Doors?
Land snails seal their shell doors to keep from drying out! When the weather turns dry or cold, they pull back inside. Then they cover the opening with a layer of dried slime called an epiphragm.
More fun facts
- Many land snails can seal their shell opening with a mucus film called an epiphragm.
- Some sea snails, like periwinkles, have a little lid to close their shells.
- Snails build shells using an organ called a mantle that releases calcium carbonate.
- All mollusks build their own shells, in water or on land.
- One expert says each shell is like a snail's autobiography.
Sources: National Geographic, National Park Service, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
What is an epiphragm?
A film of mucus that a land snail uses to seal its shell opening.