snail

Introduction References & Edit History

Images & Videos

Quizzes

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

Science Insects & Other Invertebrates Mollusks

snail

mollusk

verifiedCite

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Select Citation Style

Share to social media

Facebook X

URL

https://www.britannica.com/animal/snail

Feedback

Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).

Feedback Type

Your Feedback

Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Nature - Snail shell colour evolution in urban heat islands detected via citizen science
National Center for Biotechnology Information - The Early Development of Snails
West Virginia University - Slugs and Snails
BMC Ecology and Evolution - Insights into the evolution of the snail superfamily from metazoan wide molecular phylogenies and expression data in annelids
Natural History Museum - For the love of snails and slugs
The Spruce Pets - What to Consider Before Keeping a Pet Snail
WebMD - Snails: Are there health benefits?
Royal Horticultural Society - Slugs and snails
University of Florida - Gardening Solutions - Snails and Slugs
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources - Integrated Pest Management - Snails and Slugs
Texas A&M University Extension Entomology - Snails and Slugs

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

snail and slug - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
snail and slug - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 28, 2025 •History

snail, a gastropod, especially one having an enclosing shell, into which it may retract completely for protection. A gastropod lacking a shell is commonly called a slug or sea slug.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.