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Snail Habitat / Adaptation

A Natural History of Terrestrial Snails

By , About.com Guide

Photo © Marcos Teixeira de Freitas / Shutterstock.

Habitat

Snails first evolved in marine habitats and later expanded into freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Terrestrial snails live in moist, shady environments such as forests and gardens.

Adaptation

A snail's shell provides it with protection from changing weather conditions. In arid regions, snails have thicker shells that help them retain their body moisture. In humid regions, snails tend to have thinner shells. Some species burrow into the ground where they remain dormant, waiting for rain to soften the ground. In cold weather, snails hibernate.

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