These are pictures of me enjoying my most-favorite toy in the world, Mr. Snail from Auntie Deb. I take him everywhere with me, we are the best of friends. Thank you, Auntie Deb. (pee ess: our floor is purrfect, but Mommy & Daddy think it's a mess. we all got into the trash basket full of shredded paper, then we dragged in bags of Temptations and shredded them open. We had a biggie party while they were gone. Sigh, they are getting ready to clean it up.)
Thirteen Random Facts about Snails
by Smokey
by Smokey
- Snails can live 5-10 years; some have lived 15 years.
- Snails have two sets of tentacles on their heads. The longer pair has eyes on the end and, the shorter pair are used for feeling and smelling. Hmm, Mr. Snail only has one set of tentacles.
- Snails cannot hear. They rely on their sense of touch and smell because they also have poor eyesight.
- What sex is Mr. Snail? Actually, snails are both male and female. However, making baby snails still requires two snails and a "courtship".
- Snails have a rough tongue, something like a file with rows of tiny teeth, which it uses to scrap off leaves and flowers to eat. This tongue is called a radula.
- A baby snail takes two years to become an adult.
- Natural enemies of the snail are things we cats like to chase and get: snakes, toads, turtles, beetles and birds. Yum.
- May 24th is National Escargot Day! Escargot is snail flesh cooked and eaten as a delicacy. Let's not share this with Mr. Snail. Hmmm, he does look kinda tasty, though!
- As the snail grows, the shell grows in a spiral shape. New shell is added at the opening of the shell. The shell the baby snail was born with ends up in the middle of the spiral.
- Snails are nocturnal, which means they are more active at night. Just like us cats!
- Snails breath through lungs, like us cats, although some pond snails have gills so they can breath in the water.
- Snails move by means of a "flat foot" under their body. A band of muscles in the foot contract and expand to create a kind of rippling movement that pushes the snail forward. This "flat foot" has a special gland that produces a slimy mucus to make a slippery track. Because of the slime, they can move across the edge of a razor blade and not get hurt.
- This slime also creates a suction, so snails can crawl upside down. Okay, now I'm jealous. They can walk on the ceiling!
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Here is a detailed anatomy chart I did on Mr. Snail. Compare it with the chart for a real snail; there are some disturbing differences. For instance, Mr. Snails eyes are not on tentacles. His eyes are on his face, which is not right. Also, what is this label? Guess Mr. Snail is just "special".
Hope you enjoyed my Thursday Thirteen, I'm looking forward to seeing yours... luv, Smokey
19 comments:
What great facts Smokey! Mommy says snails are bad, but we think your's looks pretty cool, maybe she'll change her mind?!
14. Snails make DKM scream when they eat her herbs and veggies.
Heheheh, Attack Mr. Snail. Attack!
Oh the anatomy fingy is grate! Now yoo knows how to attack properly!
Purrrrrrrs,
Sanjee
You look like you have having so much fun with Mr Snail, Smokey! Great photos. :)
WOW...WHAT A GREAT THURSDAY THIRTEEN!
We didn't know anything about snails! Mommy is so happy that Smokey loves his snail!
GREAT PICTURES!!!
Those was great facts Smokey! mommy hates the snails that are in her garden. can she send them to you to play wif?
Mr Snail looks like a lot of fun!
Smokey, I certainly learned a lot about snails from you! I'm also jealous. I do not have a special Mr. Snail.
Wow, we neffur knew snails were so intristing. Zippy just sez dey taste good.
we neffur met a snail before an so we feel lotsa educated now. that's a furry cool chart. the Lady sez her mom used to dig holes near the plants an put a bowl in level with the ground and fill it with beer an then the snail would crawl in an dissolve. 'parently snails think they like beer but it makes 'em ded. she also used to salt 'em. we don't recommend doin' eiffur one of those things to your snail.
Wow, what an imformative post and my how smart you are Smokey! I'm w/DKM about snails. Now, I love your Mr. Snail Smokey, he's great, but the real kind drive me nuts getting after my canna lilies and such!!
That was really very interesting, Smokey! We can see why you enjoy your Snail, even though his eyes seem to be dislocated.
Thank you for sharing those snail facts. We learned a lot of neat stuff today.
Momma has never seen a snail. Well, only on a plate of appetizers, but it grossed her out. hee hee Mr. Snail looks lots cuter.
Smokey, I think you are going to be a scientist cat! Thanks for all the facts about snails. I especially enjoyed your scientific chart.
I have a snail for a friend. I did not know he could live to be 5-10 years old!
Pawesome T13 ~ furry informative!
Purrs from the SnowForest family :)
Smokey that is a great T13 - you are very knowledgeable about snails!
That's pretty cool Smokey. Loved the detail of your play snail. Mom wishes just one of her cats would play with the toys she has bought. We usually stick to the bags and boxes, milk rings or anything else we can get to bat around. I like to put the bitey on the tent we have. I like that tent, you can go in one hole and out the other. Guess that's the best thing Mom has bought for us.
Hi Pretty Missy.
Casper
Thanks for sharing with us Smokey about your snail. It is a really cool best furiend! We think your floor looks like a neat place to play!
Your FL furiends,
PS: Hi KC, we just need a picture of Taz your NOMSS furiend, his blog name (if he has one or you can use a post on your blog if he doesn't have one). You can write it up and send it to me (Sam) at tuxedogang at g mail dot com or just send me the info and I can write it up. That's it! Samantha
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