Hey Lykkers! Let’s clear this up about snails. So picture this—you’re out walking after the rain and you spot a tiny creature slowly gliding along the sidewalk. It’s got a spiral shell and leaves a shiny trail behind. Instinctively, you go, “Ew, is that a bug?”

But wait. Is it actually a bug? Or something else entirely? Today, we’re diving into the not-so-slimy truth about snails. Spoiler: they’re way cooler (and more misunderstood) than you might think.

Snails Are Animals – But Not Insects

First things first—yes, snails are animals. That part’s simple. But are they insects? Absolutely not.

Snails belong to a group called mollusks, specifically gastropods. Mollusks are soft-bodied creatures, and gastropods—meaning “stomach foot”—include both snails and slugs. Unlike insects, snails have no legs, wings, or segmented bodies. Instead, they move with one muscular foot and often carry a coiled shell on their back.

Insects, on the other hand, have six legs, a head, thorax, abdomen, and sometimes wings. Basically, they’re built on a completely different design. So no matter how small or squishy a snail looks, it’s in a whole other animal category.

3 Big Snail Myths That Need to Go

You might be surprised how many myths people believe about snails. Let’s clear the air.

Myth 1: Snails are bugs

A common one—but nope. “Bug” usually refers to insects, and snails just don’t fit that label. They’re gastropod mollusks.

Myth 2: Snails can leave their shells

Not true. A snail’s shell is part of its body—it grows with them. If a snail loses its shell, it’s in serious trouble.

Myth 3: Snails are useless

This one couldn’t be more wrong. Snails help break down decaying plant matter, recycle nutrients, and even enrich the soil. They’re important to the ecosystem.

True Snail Facts That’ll Blow Your Mind

Now that we’ve debunked the myths, here are some truths about snails that are honestly pretty amazing.

1. They have thousands of tiny teeth

Snails use a special tongue called a radula, lined with microscopic teeth, to scrape and eat food. Some species have over 14,000 teeth.

2. They can hibernate for years

Snails can survive tough conditions by hibernating or estivating—some have even been known to sleep for up to 3 years.

3. They’re surprisingly strong

Snails can carry objects several times heavier than their own body weight. Pretty impressive for creatures that move a few inches per minute.

Final Thoughts

So, is a snail an animal or insect? Now you know: it’s a mollusk, not an insect—and definitely not just another bug on the ground. These creatures may be slow, but they’ve got a lot going on under that shell.

Next time you see one, don’t step over it—take a second to appreciate nature’s quiet little recycler. And if you want more behind-the-scenes stories from the animal world, let’s keep the curiosity going.