I couldn’t believe it when I looked in our fish tank this morning and my Mystery Snail, Pearl, was holding an algae pellet with her foot and eating it.
Snails move around on their one foot through muscular contractions. Their foot also secrets slime which protects it and helps it move smoothly.
I’ve never seen a snail use its foot, like we would our hands, to hold onto something. If you look closely in the video, you can see the snail munching on the algae pellet.
That is so cool Maria, thank you for sharing. I am fascinated by your snails. Wishing you and Jon all the best on your birthday celebration day and taking the time to share with all of us.
I’m fascinated by them too Marsha. And it’s always nice to know that you are too!
I think this would classify as an animal using a tool. Or at least devising a tool. This, I think, it ordinarily seen in much higher evolved species.
That’s what I thought Linda. I kept thinking of how crows use tools. I’ve been watching our snail for almost two years and I’ve never seen any do this before.