Many people do not know much information about snails. Snails are known as garden pests and turn into a nuisance when they start coming inside the home or on the patio of their homes. However, many don’t realize how fascinating snails really are.
On average garden snails live six months up to 1 year. There are several conditions that effect this. Weather although snails adapt well to many climates food scarcity and very cold or hot conditions will greatly impact a snails life span. You also need to take human intervention into account. Many growth hormones and pesticides used on plants are harmful to snails and change the soil composition they prefer.
How Long Do Garden Snails Live?
Snails are very amazing creatures. Snails can live up to 10 years. However the average life span is 6 months to a year.
Usually garden snails will live for one year, but some might only last 6 months while others are lucky enough to make it three years. The most common cause of death is when the snail gets run over by a lawn mower or they die from dehydration if there is not enough moisture in their habitat. Snails can also be eaten by birds which limits their lifespan. Snail eggs are very small and light weight, so they are susceptible to being blown away when strong winds hit them which means that it becomes harder for them to survive.
Where do garden snails live?
Snails can be found all over the world and there are many types of garden snails. Most live in moist soil areas, although some live on rock walls or even trees.
You might have seen them in the backyard or under the leaves in your garden. Snails love to be in damp soil and humid environments because they need moisture. They also like to come out during late dusk or early dawn hours where it is less hot once they are exposed to light after long periods of darkness, they will immediately begin sun bathing themselves until they turn a golden brown.
What Do Garden Snails Eat?
These creatures mainly eat plants, but they can also eat animal feces and decaying plants. They excrete a special type of mucus that helps them glide over rough surfaces.
Do Garden Snails Kill Plants?
Although garden snails do not kill plants by eating them like slugs do (which is why they are sometimes considered more tolerable than slugs), they can damage plants by leaving behind a trail of mucous. This mucous can harbor bacteria and fungus, which can kill plants. In extreme cases, the slime left behind by garden snails can actually clog up irrigation systems or sprinkler heads. If you have a garden snail problem, it is best to take steps to get rid of them. There are a variety of methods that can be used, including hand picking, traps, and bait. You can also use a product called iron phosphate to kill garden snails; however, this must be done carefully as it can also harm other types of animals and insects. We took on how to get rid of snails and slugs with great results.
Do Garden Snails Bite People?
Garden snails, just like any other snail, have microscopic teeth to small for them to bite you. But if you want to make sure that your snail doesn’t try and taste anything in your house then make sure you keep the doors and windows shut tight.
Snails can also carry diseases such as typhoid and even meningitis which is why they should never be handled or eaten raw by humans ever! So remember to wash your hands right after touching a snail to avoid contracting these germs.
Gardens Snails Facts
- Snails are classified as one of the most dangerous pests in gardens
- The garden snail’s diet consists mainly of fruits or vegetables
- When a snail is idle, they retract back into their shells to protect themselves
- Snails can live up to 10 years
- When a snail dies, other animals will often eat the body and will turn the shell into a home for their own offspring
- It is interesting to know that they have eyes at the tips of their tentacles and they also have teeth! They usually eat things such as leaves, flowers and some fruits as well as other plants.
- They move very slowly which allows them to conserve energy by allowing them not to use muscles for movement. Snails do not like sunlight so make sure you don’t keep them out in the sun or they will die of dehydration! Snails also need a lot of calcium and moisture, if it’s too dry they can die.
- People usually grow snails for the shell, which is grown in order to protect them against predators.
- Snails can hibernate in winter months when it gets cold and they do this because there won’t be any food around so they need to survive! If you find a snail during these months they are most likely dead , so do not bring them inside!
In captivity general, they can live anywhere from two to five years. However, some have been known to live up to 10 years or more. As with most things in life, the length of a garden snail’s life depends on its environment and health. So, take care of your garden snails and give them a comfortable place to live, and they may just surprise you with how long they stick around
