Q:
How many teeth does a snail have?
A:
Quick Answer
The number of teeth a snail has depends on the type of snail, but the average snail has well over 1,000 teeth. The teeth of snails are contained in rows called a radula. These rows shift and allow missing teeth to be replaced.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
Snails are voracious eaters that use their small, sharp teeth to rip through vegetation. The consistent ripping and chewing wears down the teeth and causes the radula to create a new row, pushing all of the rows forward, helping to rotate the teeth.
The radula is sometimes mistaken for a tongue. However, it is possible to hear a snail chew its food, when observed in a quiet room.
Learn more about Slugs & SnailsSources:
Related Questions
-
Q:
How do snail shells grow?
A: The protoconch, or first shell that a snail is born with, grows with the snail as the animal's mantle -- an organ that lines the shell -- releases new shel... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is the difference between a snail vs. a slug?
A: The most-noticeable difference between a snail and a slug is the slug's lack of a shell. On a snail, the shell houses and protects the visceral hump, where... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What adaptations does a snail exhibit?
A: Snails have developed behavioral and physiological adaptations through the years. The once exclusive marine and freshwater snails formed gills and develope... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is an elephant snail?
A: The elephant snail is a species of large sea snail and a mollusk in the family Fissurellidae. Its name is derived from its tendency to swing its tentacles ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
