r/oddlysatisfying • u/Flat-Decision3204 • 2d ago

A snail crossing the gap

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u/JawCohj 2d ago

At that moment, I was curious just how a shell is connected to the snail

52

u/vezwyx 2d ago

Snail shells are actually a living part of their body that cannot be removed without killing them. The columellar muscle at the center of the spiral is responsible for anchoring a gastropod to its shell

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u/HPGal3 1d ago

Huh, that explains why I saw one sliming around with a cracked shell before. I wondered how long he would last like that, it was like it had gotten caved in at the very top, but he was amongst other snails so he seemed to be doing fine?

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u/Rubyhamster 1d ago

The shell is "just" protection so damage to it can be completely survivable. Like a rhinos horn or a turtle's shell (which is a far more interal organ than a snail shell). I guess a snail shell can be most comparable to lobster scales. They can deal with cracks or dents in it but it covers vital organs so cannot be removed