Gastropod

Meet the Gastropods

Gastropods are a big group of animals without backbones. Most people call them snails and slugs. They are one of the most successful animal groups on Earth, with many different kinds living all over the place.

You can find gastropods in the deep sea, mountains, rivers, gardens, and even deserts. Some have beautiful shells on their backs to hide in, while others, called slugs, have very small shells or no shells at all.

Gastropods are very interesting because there are so many different kinds. Scientists think there are between 50,000 and 120,000 known species, and probably even more we haven’t discovered yet! They live in many places, like oceans, lakes, rivers, and land. Some can even live in very hot or very cold places, like near the Arctic or Antarctic.

Gastropods have special bodies. Most snails have spiral shells made of a strong material. Some snails, called slugs, don’t have shells. Snails have heads with tentacles that help them feel and see, even though they don’t see very well. They also have organs to smell and taste, which helps them find food.

Gastropods eat many different things. Ocean gastropods might eat plants, meat, or dead animals. Land snails and slugs often eat leaves, fruit, mushrooms, or dead insects. Their eating habits help break down plants and fungi, which is important for nature.