When it comes to snails, the first thing that comes to mind is that they have a thick shell. In fact, in addition to being known for their thick shells, snails are also the animals with the most teeth in the world.

When it comes to snails, the first thing that comes to mind is that they have a thick shell. In fact, in addition to being known for its thick shell, snails are also the animals with the most teeth in the world.

The reason why snails have a large number of teeth is to adapt to the changing environment around them. The teeth of snails are small and sharp, and are densely and neatly arranged on the tongue. The total number is about 26,000, and snails are suitable for living in dark, moist and humus-rich places. They live in the environment and like to go out to forage at night. In addition, there are many types of snails, with about 25,000 species currently known.

Generally we can see some snails in some swamps with relatively shallow water. Sometimes they will move slowly around (I often saw snails when I was a child, but they usually retracted into their shells and made no movement, like a stone that is not afraid of the passage of time. )

What are the functions of teeth?

In fact, snails not only have many teeth, but they are also very sharp. There is an experiment that says: If you put a snail in a cardboard box, it won't take long for you to find a hole in the box. At this time the snail will crawl out.

Teeth have two important functions for snails, eating and attacking

Snails generally feed on leaves and buds of plants, and of course there are carnivorous snails. The snail's radula is a belt-like structure covered with densely packed teeth, but these teeth are not "three-dimensional teeth" and cannot be eaten in the usual way of chewing. Instead, another more domineering way of eating is adopted - softening + crushing.

Snails can eat leaves with their teeth. They can chew up any kind of leaves and eat them.

When a snail finds food, it will secrete a kind of saliva, which has the acidity of 4% sulfuric acid solution. This saliva first softens the food , and then the snail will use its own tongue with teeth to chew the food. Tear it up bit by bit and eat it. While the

snail is protected by its hard shell, its saliva and teeth are also its powerful offensive weapons. In addition, snails may attack each other and cannibalize each other when they are extremely hungry.

Can snails bite people?

Snails have teeth, so someone will definitely ask: "Can snails bite?" The answer is yes, but it is very small, and generally there will be no bites if you put it on your hands, but try to avoid letting it bite you and try not to use your hands. Take it. If you are really bitten, you can disinfect it with iodophor after the bite. Generally, there will be no major problem. If you are really worried, you can do a blood test to see if eosinophils are too high. There may be parasites in the snail.

The growth habits of snails

Snails are suitable for living in a dark, humid and humus-rich environment, and they like to go out for food at night. During the day, they usually burrow into the soil to rest, lay eggs, adjust body humidity, etc., for up to twelve hours Hours, in addition, the snail secretes a mucus.

Types of snails

There are many varieties of snails. Currently, there are about 25,000 known species of snails in the world, and there are thousands of species in my country alone. Among them, the common Chinese snails, large snails, agate snails, etc. The shell of the Chinese snail is thin and solid, and the color of the shell is yellowish brown.

In short, what people know about snails is that they have the largest number of teeth.