Why does a slug not have a shell

Slugs evolved from semi slugs and their shells are even smaller: Most slugs have made their shell so small that it stays under their skin , but some got rid of their shells completely. The shell is one of the main differences between modern snails and slugs. Click here to find out all the differences between slugs and snails. The following video from the Carnegie Museum explains how snails became slugs without a shell, with examples of snails, semi slugs, and slugs…. Snails have kept their shells for the past million years because their shell helps them to survive :.

They no longer needed these shells because they found ways to survive without having a shell to hide in for protection or using a shell to store their internal organs.

When the weather gets too hot or too cold, slugs bury themselves deep in the soil to stay alive. If you want to get rid of slugs and snails in your yard, below are the best tips and recommended products from Amazon to get the job done:.

Click here for my full article on how to stop slugs from eating your plants. This means that if you buy a product or service through one of our links, we may receive a small commission from the sale for referring you.

Thank you for your support! The skin of a slug is exceptionally moist, and often covered in a thin layer of slimy mucus that helps it retain moisture and protects it from most predators, which dislike the taste. Two key things attract slugs: food and moisture. Unfortunately for gardeners, just about every plant — vegetables and flowers in particular — can serve as food for slugs.

They are definitely not picky eaters! Any area that stays moist during the day or during lengthy hot spells will be attractive to slugs. In particular, they are drawn to the moisture-retaining qualities of mulch, sod, leaves and straw. Another interesting attractant to slugs are spaces where they can lay their eggs. Gardeners have found that slugs will often lay eggs in areas that have been raked or hoed, while they will avoid soil that has been left smooth by a garden tool.

The creases and bumps left by such tools create an ideal incubation area for slugs. Yes, slugs can be very destructive garden, farm and landscaping pests. The sheer numbers of slugs in many areas — particularly in irrigated and overly wet locations — can result in massive plant destruction.

A slug, which eats many times its body weight each night, simply destroys too much of the plant for it to recover.

First off, the mucus produced by slugs can cause excess drool or induce vomiting. Even worse, in times of stress, slugs are known to produce extra mucus as a deterrent, so your cat or dog would be eating a lot of slug slime. Further, some slugs are infested with parasitical lungworm, so this parasite can infect your pet.

Some people even turn the tables on snails and slugs and eat them! All over the world, snails and slugs are a source of protein in the diets of many people. They're even considered a delicacy in some places. For example, in France, escargot is a specialty dish made of a certain type of land snail. Because of their small size and the way they move, snails and slugs are naturally slow-moving creatures. Are you ready to learn even more about slugs and snails? Be sure to check out the following activities with a friend or family member:.

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Thanks for sharing about your pets, Andrya! You are absolutely right, Melissa! Thanks for sharing your experience with us today! Thanks for visiting this Wonder today and leaving us a cool question comment, Becca and Taylor! We would rather eat We think we will try to act like a snail, too! Your comment makes us super happy, Lindsay! We think they and you! Hello, Mrs. We're super glad you loved today's Wonder! Thanks for letting us know! Thanks for sharing part of today's Wonder, Borshay!

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We liked learning cool facts about snails and slugs! Hi, Mr. Thanks so much for checking out today's Wonder and for letting us know what you guys thought about it! We're not sure we would like to eat either We appreciate your opinion of today's Wonder, Callie and Morgan.

Thanks for letting us know what you think! We hope you'll give learning in Wonderopolis another try soon! We think we just might have a snail-rific day today, Mrs. Sometimes we think it would be fun to be a snail or a slug and S-L-O-W We hope you ALL have the best spring break ever! We think snails are really awesome, too, Barbara! It's cool that you have one as a pet We think it's awesome that you shared what you learned about snails and slugs today, Kamryn!

Thanks so much! Hello, Shundee! Thanks for hanging out in Wonderopolis today! We encourage you to re-visit today's Wonder to learn if slugs and snails are different! Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis today and letting us know what you thought about today's Wonder, Julia!

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Where do most snails live? Why do many gardeners dislike slugs and snails? We were hanging out in the Wonderopolis garden the other day and overheard two earthworms named Larry and Moe telling jokes: Larry: What's a slug? Moe: I don't know. Larry: A snail with a housing problem! Moe: Ha! That's a good one, Larry. Larry: Hey Moe, what should you do if you see two snails fighting?

Moe: I have no clue, Larry. Larry: Leave them alone and let them slug it out! Moe: You're on a roll today, Larry. Wonder What's Next?