Membrane Reduces Evaporation

the small edge of a snail can be seen sticking out of its striped brown shell on the sand

Biological Strategy

Snails and slugs

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Protect From Loss of Liquids

Water is essential to life. Liquids, mostly water, make up 70 to 90% of all living systems, and the loss of even a small percentage can mean the difference between life and death. Living systems must maintain a proper liquid balance, which is especially difficult in dry conditions. To do so, they must control the movement of liquids across their boundaries. Living systems do this using structures or waterproof materials to prevent or slow liquid movement. For example, when humans receive a cut, they must limit blood loss. Scattered throughout the bloodstream are lens-shaped structures that serve to plug the wound.

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Gastropods

Class Gastropoda (“stomach-foot”): Snails and slugs

There are at least 40,000 known species of gastropod, with many more yet to be discovered, making it the largest class of mollusks. These animals exhibit torsion, meaning their internal organs are twisted 180° during development. The majority of gastropods have shells, and most open up on the right side. The largest gastropods are the size of a small child (3 feet, or 1 meter) while the smallest are barely visible to the naked eye.

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A secreted mucus membrane across the opening of the shells of some land snails protects them from drying out by reducing evaporation.

“And certain land snails, particularly desert dwellers, seal themselves inside their shells to avoid desiccation in dry conditions, secreting a special membrane across their shells’ opening that reduces evaporation; they can remain encased for years if need be until rain returns.” (Shuker 2001:105)

Last Updated September 14, 2016

References

Book

The Hidden Powers of Animals: Uncovering the Secrets of Nature

26/02/2021 | Dr. Karl P. N. Shuker

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