What are Terrestrial Gastropods?
Snails and slugs belong to the phylum Mollusca, a large and diverse group of non-segmented invertebrate animals living in the ocean, freshwater and on land. The largest subdivision of the Phylum Mollusca, Class Gastropoda (the gastropods), includes several well-known examples: snails, slugs, limpets, conchs and nudibranchs. Gastropods have a distinct head with tentacles and eyes, and a broad, flat foot for locomotion. There is a visceral mass dorsally, which is at least partially covered by a mantle. The mantle encloses a mantle cavity that either contains gills for respiration or is modified to form a “lung”. The visceral mass is usually protected by a calcareous shell. The three subclasses of gastropods are based on the form and position of the respiratory organs, as well as on other anatomy. Members of the subclass Prosobranchia have gills located in front of the heart. Prosobranchs, such as limpets, abalones and whelks, live in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments, but t
