How Long Do Snails Live (And Why)?

How Long Do Snails Live (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 2 to 3 years

The different species of snails are largely found in several parts of the world. It has been found that there are near about 200,000 species of snails. Out of so many species of snails, only 50,000 are classified.

The wheel of life of snails is highly dependent upon their habitats and specific species. The average life period for a snail to live is 2 to 3 years. They can even live up to 10 years in their captivity. It has been assumed that snails can survive between 5 to 15 years.

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How Long Do Snails Live?

There are mainly three different categories of snails – sea snails, land snails, freshwater snails. Aquatic species snails are mainly make up a large number of snails species. The life anticipation of a snail depends on two factors – their habitat and the species.

Generally, the lifespan of a snail is 2 to 3 years. Few species of snails may live for 10 years or over 10 years. However, some species of snails can live up to 25 years old. The environmental conditions also make a huge impact on the longing life span of the snails.

The garden snails are also known as Helix Aspersa. This species is one of the best-known species of snails in the world. It is easily found in crops, gardens, and green fields. Freshwater snails are a species of gastropod mollusks.

These species can easily be found near seas, lakes, rivers, and aquarium stores. In an aquarium environment, most of the snail’s species live up to a year or two. The conditions of the tank decide the lifespan of the snails.

If the water temperature will drop below 50 degrees then all the snails inside the tank will die within days.The high temperature in the tank will help them in revved up their metabolism. The ideal water temperature for the snails inside the water tank is 65 to 82 years.

Here is the table for different categories of snails along with their lifespan.

Categories Of Snails LifeSpan
Garden Snails2 to 3 years
Larger SnailsUpto 10 years

Why Do Snails Live So Long?

Snails have a shell on their backs which plays an important role in their continuation. The snail’s shell on the back helps them to hide or protect themselves from predators. The shell is made up of calcium carbonate.

Sustain the temperature and humidity of the habitat for the aquarium snails. Take them away from any heat source. Snails don’t like sunlight as it drys their body.

That is why during the summertime, they covered themselves with a thin layer of mucus. That is why they appear on cloudy and rainy days. Sunlight and any other source of heat affect them badly.

They stop eating and hide inside their shell until they feel comfortable in the habitat. The hard shells support them to escape from predators. Predators like beetles, birds, rats, mice, turtles, and many other animals eat snails as their feed.

That is why during the first years it becomes difficult for the snails to survive. Many humans eat snails while they are still being eggs. In many parts of the world, people eat their eggs which are known as White Caviar.

The pet snails can live for a very long time. If they are provided with good habitat and care properly them they can live for twenty-five years. However, the species of snails also perform a requisite factor in it.

Conclusion

The life of a snail depends upon many factors. They are commonly found in dense grass, leaves, forests, hedges, gardens, parks, rivers and lakes etc. Other than that many other factors can affect the life of snails.

If the snail comes in contact with slat then they will die. Abrasive substances, beer, dry and hot surroundings, and the use of predatory can affect the snails. Take them away from the direct source of sunlight.

These methods are performed to get rid of snails. To help them for a long-living create habitat which is friendly to them.

Reference

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01171.x
  2. https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/etc.3532
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