How Fast Are Snails?

The speed of a snail varies depending on the species. Most prosobranchs—a group that includes some land, marine, and freshwater snails—move at a speed of less than 8 cm (about 3 inches) per minute, but abalone (Haliotis) has been reported to move at almost 10 times that rate. Some aquatic, tropical sluglike species with small bodies can travel in fairly rapid bursts, and carnivorous snails in all environments are relatively fast compared to herbivorous snails. Large tropical land snails, such as Achatina or Strophocheilus, are very slow moving.

Snails move using a muscular organ known as the foot, which generates waves of contraction to propel them forward. This method of movement, known as pedal locomotion, is inherently slow because it relies on the sequential contraction and relaxation of muscles. The snail’s foot secretes the characteristic mucus trail for which snails are known, providing a surface for the snail to glide over and reducing friction. This mucus-dependent movement is both efficient and speed limiting. In addition, the protective shell adds weight to a snail’s body, creating what is essentially trade-off between mobility and safety.