![]() ![]() The shell protects the body and internal organs of the animal and has an opening to one side, usually the right. Its surface can show different colors with fringe designs, but they usually are brown or yellow. It is made up of calcium carbonate which makes it strong and remains that way as long as the snail consumes food with calcium. This structure protects the snail from the environment and even from predators. However, all of them have a spiral design, caused by the way land snails produce and growth their shells. Some of them are cone-shaped while others are round. The shell of a land snail can be very different in size and shape depending on the species. The Hipostracum is below, and the most superficial layer is the periostracum, composed of a lot of proteins. The central layer of the shell, called ostracum, has two layers of crystals of the same substance, calcium carbonate. The former is a solid spiral-shaped structure carried on the back, made of a single piece and consisting mostly of calcium carbonate. To analyze the external anatomy of snails, we will divide their body into the shell and the soft body that holds it. The shell can be very different in size and shape depending on the species. When you start to analyze all of the parts of their body, though, they have a unique anatomy and physiology. Some people find them fascinating while others think they are pretty ugly. His body is a cluster of peculiarities and surprising data, not found in other animals. Most of us recognize snails by their spiral shell, but this is not the only interesting thing about them. But if the external skeleton cracked a little or a piece of it is broken, the snails can still be saved.The anatomy of a land snail is very different from most animals. Besides the fact that they are in danger from predators, they will not be able to move and will quickly lose moisture. The snails that were originally born with a shell cannot live without their “house”. Scientists believe that the shell of such creatures has atrophied during evolution: due to the spread of slugs in places with high humidity, but the lack of calcium, necessary for a strong shell. Shellfish without an external skeleton have scientific name “slugs”. Such mollusks are usually poisonous, so they are not edible. Moreover, the brighter the color, the more dangerous the creature is. Important! Decorative species of snails can have brightly colored shells. The popular small and big snails have grey shells correspondingly. ColorĮdible snails, used for the preparation of escargot, have brown color (it can vary from the light amber to dark brown). It can be observed in grape snails (Helix Pomatia). The ribbed surface of the shell retains moisture and also increases the strength of the external skeleton. Thus, the age of the individual can be determined by the number of spirals on the external skeleton. The substance is deposited in a circle and forms spirals. As they grow older, they absorb limestone from the water. Important! Young snails hatch with a shell, which is very soft and translucent. Thus, for example, the famous grape snail Jeremy has the mirrored internal organs, so the spirals on its shell are twisted in the opposite direction. ![]() However, there is a common characteristic: the spirals are twisted clockwise, with rare exceptions. The exterior of the shell determines the type of mollusk. In addition, the internal organs and muscles of the snail are also attached to the inner side of the shell. The mantle, the skin fold that holds the body together with the shell, is not considered part of the shell, but performs an important function. The inner layer is a mother-of-pearl shade. The outer layer, which consists of conhiolin, a special protein. The structure consists of the three layers: Therefore, it helps snails to move and holds parts of their body. Like other mollusks, the shell of the snail is an external skeleton. This fact is very interesting, because the shells of different snails differ by shape, structure and color. However, no one knows the real value of the shell. From the childhood we know that snails are the creatures that bring their house on the back. ![]()
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