Minibeasts to look for in January — Snail

 Snail is the common name for gastropod molluscs that can be split into three groups, land snails, sea snails and freshwater snails. There are around 80 types of snail and 20 Slugs in the UK. Slugs are basically shell-less snails, although some slugs do still have tiny shells on their backs and most have a little one inside their bodies. Most snail species have a ribbon-like tongue called a radula that contains thousands of microscopic teeth. The radula works like a file, ripping food up into tiny pieces. Put a snail on glass and you can see them working! Most snails are herbivores (plant eaters) and eat leaves, stems and flowers, which is why gardeners and farmers think they are such pests. As they move along, snails leave behind a trail of mucus (slime!) which acts as a lubricant to reduce surface friction and stops water loss. They are hermaphrodites (both sexes in one animal!). During mating both animals are fertilised so both can lay eggs!