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Reproduction
Most terrestrial snails are hermaphroditic which means that each individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs. Although the age at which snails reach sexual maturity varies among species, it may be up to three years before snails are old enough to reproduce. Mature snails begin courtship in early summer and after mating both indivudals lay fertilized eggs in nests dug out of moist soil. It lays several dozen eggs and then covers them with soil where the stay until they are ready to hatch.
Sources
For a list of sources used in the creation of this visual guide, please see the Recommended Reading page.