Snails with shells are part of the mollusk family and are related to clams, oysters and mussels. They can be divided into three groups, according to where they live: on land, in freshwater or in saltwater. There are more than eighty thousand kinds, with some as small as a pinhead and others growing to two feet long. They may live from two to twenty years. All have spiral-shaped, hollow shells to which they are attached, although they can extend most of their bodies outside of their shells when hunting for food or moving about.
Most of us are familiar with snails found in gardens. During the night they climb on plant stems and eat leaves and blossoms but hide in daylight. Their brown or blackish round shells provide camouflage against birds or small animals that like to eat them. Many other kinds have rather pretty shells and unusual ways of life.
One of the largest land snails is named giant shell, living in east Africa. It grows more than eight inches long and lays eggs as large as those of some small birds.
Among the saltwater snails are two found in the kelp areas off California shores. One is called calliostoma annulatum and the other calliostoma ligatus. Food for these includes parts of kelp plants and small water insects. Sometimes they’ll even attack a jellyfish.
The calcium in ocean water gives unusual strength to the shells of these and others living in the ocean. Most of the snail shells, when fully grown, look amazingly like long ice cream cones. Their shells’ spirals form a small point at one end and increase in diameter and length to the large white opening at the other end. Many are a pretty light tan, streaked with white and are solid white at the front.
The lignus tree snail, that lives in trees growing near water spots in Florida, is one of the interesting land varieties. These have an extra-long body that stretches out full-length beyond its shell (to which it remains attached) when climbing a tree trunk as it searches for a meal of insects and tender foliage. Its cone-shaped, white shell has gray and blue bands.
The opening Bible verse tells of the Creator’s pleasure in all the things He created and now watches over. After every other living thing was created, then He placed mankind into a world complete and ready for us. He has since shown His great love in giving His life on Calvary’s cross to pay for all the sins of every boy or girl, man or woman, who will confess that they are sinners and put their trust in Him. Have you done this?
(to be continued)
ML-03/04/2007