How does a snail move?
The snail has an unusual body sticking out from the underside of its coiled shell. This body is actually a strong muscle called a foot. A snail’s foot is made up of many tiny muscles which help it to crawl about in an up-and-down, or wavelike, motion. The waves start at the front of the snail’s foot and move backwards. As the wa
The snail moves by creeping on a flat “foot” underneath the body. The band of muscles in the foot contract and expand and this create a kind of rippling movement that pushes the snail forward. The “foot” has a special gland that produces a slimy mucus to make a slippery track. You can often see these silvery tracks in the garden. The slime comes out from the front and hardens when it comes into contact with air. The snail is able to move on very sharp pointed needles, knife, razors and vines without being injured because the mucus-like secretion helps to protect its body.
