Makin' tracks

By Jill Vance 

If someone asked you to describe a snail in one word, it would probably be “slimy.”

Snails are known for the silvery trails of this substance that they leave on soil and plant leaves. While yucky, slime helps these creatures in many ways.

Snails have a long, moist and, of course, slimy body. They are gastropods. “Gastro” means stomach and “pod” means foot. The mouth of a snail is located on one end of its “foot” (the body of a snail). Slime is produced by a special gland in the front of this foot.

Because the sun can dry out their soft bodies, land snails are active only at night or during cloudy days. The rest of the time, they hide in moist, shady places. During the winter, they hibernate in the soil.

Slime provides snails with additional protection during dry weather. They can pull their body inside their hard shell and then seal the entrance with this sticky substance to keep moist. Some desert snails have thick shells that allow them to stay sealed inside for more than two years!

Snails can also use slime to help them get around. As their foot produces slime, it also ripples (like a wave); this movement pumps the slime backward, which pushes the body forward. While slow (about 2 feet per hour), this type of movement has advantages.

Using the slime, snails create suction between their body and a surface. This allows them to stay connected with the surface so they can easily crawl across a ceiling or, more likely, the underside of a leaf. The slime also creates a protective layer under the body. Snails can move across rough vines, harsh soils and even the edge of a razor without injury.

Snails are fascinating creatures. The next time you spot one, take some time to watch as it propels itself, slowly, along its trail of slime ...

Many gardeners watch their gardens for trails because snails eat leaves and can damage garden plants. While the average snail can be a pest to gardeners, the giant African land snail is a major threat. It eats more than 500 kinds of plants and can carry disease. This enormous snail (up to 8 inches long!) does not belong in Indiana. It was brought to the United States illegally in 1966. If you see an African land snail, report it to the DNR’s Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology, (317) 232-4120.

Find out more about snails and other critters at a DNR interpretive center near you. For a list of interpretive programs go to www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov.

Snail at Big Walnut Nature Preserve in Putnam County (above right)

Make Your Own Snail Slime

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:
Borax
Water
White glue
Small bowl
A sturdy Ziploc bag

• In a small bowl, mix 11⁄2 teaspoons of borax into 1⁄2 cup of water until the borax has
completely dissolved.
• Pour in 1⁄4 cup of white glue and 1⁄4 cup of water into the Ziploc bag.
• Seal the bag completely.
• Use your fingers to knead the bag and thoroughly mix the glue and water.
• Open the Ziploc bag and pour in the borax water mixture.
• Seal the bag completely and then use your fingers to knead the mixture together.

This recipe results in a moist “snail foot” with residual slime for you to play with (if you just want lots of slime but no foot, use less borax). Use the slime to create paths for your snail foot to move along.

Your snail and its slime will keep for a while if you store it in a sealed bag inside the refrigerator (remember, snails have to worry about drying out!).