Snails are among the longest-living species, with their ancestors dating back some 500 million years.
It is said that they existed as sea creatures in the past but are living both in freshwater and on land these days.
With the different habitats, their breathing mechanisms won’t be exactly the same. With that in mind, many people wonder, “How do nerite snails breathe?“
Let’s scroll down to get the correct answer!
Contents
Do Snails Breathe?
Yes, snails, like most living organisms, gain oxygen through breathing to survive and live healthily.
But note that their breathing system isn’t the same, which is mostly true for aquatic and terrestrial snails.
Terrestrial snails generally have a simple and primitive breathing system, which includes a cavity between the snail’s body and shell.
The cavity serves like a lung, and snails assimilate oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide through a small opening.
On the other hand, aquatic snails have a cavity as well, but most of them respire through their gills to absorb oxygen from the water.
But several pond snails feature a similar breathing system as land ones.
They typically emerge to the water’s surface to gain oxygen which will be stored in their cavity and used when they are underwater.
How Do Nerite Snails Breathe Underwater?
Most aquatic snails feature gills enabling them to gain oxygen from water, and the same goes for nerite snails. Those gills are called ctenidium and have a comb structure.
They are on the pallial cavity and feature feathery protrusions, where gas exchange occurs. It includes getting oxygen from the water and releasing carbon dioxide simultaneously.
Some older snails have two gills, but most existing species have only one. There are species with reduced gills, which generally have a lung used to breathe from above the water surface.
To do that, they often use something like a siphon or inhalant to trap air bubbles and utilize it for breathing underwater.
In general, aquatic snails with a lung, including nerite snails, can’t survive out of water for too long.
How Long Can Snails Breathe Underwater?
Marine snails with only gills, of course, can breathe underwater for as long as they want. They are sea snails and several freshwater snails.
These pets have only gills, so they can’t breathe air, and therefore they must be in the water.
On the flip side, a few land snails can stay underwater without breathing for hours. There is no specific period; aquarists suggest that it can last for 24 hours.
The exact period snails can last underwater depends on the species and their breathing system.
But as for marine snails with gills, they can survive and breathe underwater for as long as they want.
Do All Snails Live In Water?
No, snails do not always live in water. Snails will live in different habitats, including land, seawater, and freshwater.
Snails that grow in freshwater and seawater are typically called marine snails. They have the largest number and are the most biodiverse group.
Freshwater snails usually live in rivers, ponds, and lakes, whereas sea snails or marine snails are typically found in coral reefs and ocean depths.
On the flip side, land snails live on land. They make up a smaller group, although they are more popular.
Remember that land snails live on land, but they also require water to grow.
The fact is that they typically live in moist environments, in which they have access to a lot of water and humidity.
For example, garden snails like to stay in or close to shallow water where they have access to water for drinking.
But the water shouldn’t be too deep, or they can’t get out and may even drown. Some terrestrial snails also hide under leaf litter or at the bases of plants to escape the scorching sun.
FAQs
Do Terrestrial Snails Drown In Water?
Terrestrial snails have adapted to survive on land by breathing oxygen with their lungs. They don’t have gills to breathe underwater, and they can’t swim.
Terrestrial snails don’t live well in water as it isn’t their natural habitat. So, if you put terrestrial snails in water, they’ll struggle and may end up drowning.
How Long Does It Take for Snails to Drown?
It will depend on the species in question. Firstly, most land snails have no well-developed gills, so they can’t breathe underwater. These snails will typically drown in under 24 hours.
Some snails feature an operculum that can survive longer if they use the operculum to form a good seal. However, they also can’t survive for too long if you put them in water.
Can Mystery Snails Drown?
In the wild, these snails typically remain submerged in water to hide from predators. But they will come to the water’s surface as they need air.
Mystery snails use their siphon to refresh the air inside their lungs. So there is a minor chance for them to drown.
Will Snail Eggs Drown?
It will depend on the kinds of snail eggs. Some snails lay their eggs in the water, whereas others look for dry surfaces, such as the tank’s walls, leaves of aquatic plants, and more.
By instinct, snails can determine ideal conditions for their eggs to survive.
If the eggs are laid inside water, just leave them there to improve their chances of hatching.
If the snail lays their eggs outside water, exposure to moisture may cause rotting and lower its chances of hatching.
How Long Can Nerite Snails Hold Their Breath?
They can survive for a long time without coming to the water’s surface.
Final Thoughts
How do nerite snails breathe? As aquatic snails, nerite snails can breathe underwater because they have gills.
Some species also have a snorkel tube to gain air from above the water’s surface, so they’ll float toward the surface when they need air.
Hopefully, the information in the article can provide you with useful ideas. Thank you for taking the time to read the post!
