Shells, Slime, and Surprises

We’re all caught up in the daily grind, constantly on the go. Time to jump out of bed - the alarm is ringing! You’ve really got to speed up now as you're already running late for work. Hustle-free breakfasts and lunches are now just a few and far between. You’ve really got to catch this train, or else the next one comes after an hour. Don’t forget to pay the EMI as the deadline is sneaking up! Run, run and run try not to fall behind in the rat race. Isn’t it true that, to some extent, we're all in the same boat? We rush through life, even if just for a fraction of our day.

But then, there are those rare moments of calm. I found myself sitting on my balcony, a cup of tea in hand and my favorite book on my lap, when suddenly, I noticed a tiny baby slug slowly making its way toward me.

The tiny baby slug

As a kid, and even until very recently, I didn’t like snails or slugs simply because they were slimy! Poor creatures—they don’t deserve such disdain. I’m writing this because my perspective completely changed after I saw this baby slug. My thoughts were drifting, and I realized these little beings are the embodiment of calm. They seem to carry no worries, show no signs of aggression, have no big threatening antennae, and not even large eyes! On one hand, we have restless humans, and on the other, these snails and slugs, some of the slowest creatures on Earth. They cause no harm to humans, though they are, of course, the sworn enemies of gardeners. So if you’re a plant parent, snails are definitely your adversaries.

This is when I started to let go of my dislike for them. After that day, I began looking for more snails and their family members around my area. To my surprise, I found a lot of them, each with different body types, shapes, speeds of locomotion, and more. It was like a search engine on our phones: you mention a Goa trip in a conversation with a friend, and suddenly you’re bombarded with ads for train bookings, flights, accommodations, and everything in between! The moment I decided to look for snails, they just appeared on my path. Or perhaps it’s like that popular saying by Vincent Van Gogh: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” I started loving snails, and—wohoo!—I see them everywhere now.

I managed to capture some unique snails and slugs, different from the usual types. The first one was the baby slug you see in the first picture. They might seem insignificant at first glance, but they hold a world of wonder within their tiny forms. A baby slug is the juvenile stage of a slug, a soft-bodied mollusc often found in damp environments. When first hatched, baby slugs are incredibly tiny, often no larger than a grain of rice. Their small size makes them appear almost translucent. Even at a young age, baby slugs are voracious feeders. They primarily consume decaying plant material, algae, fungi, and even tender new leaves and shoots. This diet helps them grow rapidly as they prepare for their adult life.

Ariophanta bistrialis (View 1)

Ariophanta bistrialis (View 3)

Ariophanta bistrialis (View 2)

The next one in my collection is a snail. I like to think of snails as slugs with a fashion sense—after all, they do carry those stylish shells around! Jokes aside, this particular species is the fascinating Ariophanta bistrialis. I hope I've identified it correctly; even with Google's help, it was quite a challenge to pin down the exact species. I read about nearly 10-12 species of similar snails online, compared their photographs with mine, and finally settled on the one that matched the most in terms of features, habits, and so on.

These snails are hermaphrodites, carrying both male and female reproductive organs. The shell of Ariophanta bistrialis is usually thin and translucent, with a pale, whitish color that often has subtle banding or striping. Like many land snails, it's a herbivore, feeding primarily on decaying plant matter, fungi, and algae, and is known for its incredibly slow pace.

I can't help but wonder how these snails would react if they were scolded by teachers for their slow, never-ending writing—"When will you finish this classwork if you do it at a snail's pace?" Haha! But despite their leisurely speed, snails are quite efficient at navigating complex terrains, using their muscular foot and slime production to reduce friction and prevent injury as they move.

Another fascinating aspect is how they breathe. Ariophanta bistrialis breathes air through a lung-like structure called a pallial cavity. It has a small opening on the right side of its body, known as the pneumostome, through which it takes in air.

And of course, it’s always intriguing to learn about the defense mechanisms of different organisms. When threatened, these snails can retract into their shells, sealing the opening with a layer of mucus to deter predators and protect themselves from environmental hazards. However, their primary defense is their camouflage and ability to remain hidden in their environment.

Rhachistia spp.

Rhachistia spp.

This snail was surprisingly discovered while I was collecting some Aloe vera. It wasn't moving at all and seemed glued to the aloe leaf. It appeared that the snail had entered a state of dormancy or inactivity. Rhachistia is a genus of land snails that belongs to the family Achatinidae. Identifying the exact species proved challenging. Rhachistia species are typically found in a variety of environments, ranging from tropical forests to semi-arid regions. They are well-adapted to different levels of humidity and can often be found in leaf litter, under logs, and in other shaded, moist microhabitats. The shells are often elongated and turreted, giving them a characteristic spire-like appearance. They can vary in color, displaying shades of brown, yellow, or even more vibrant hues, depending on the species and their habitat.

Rhachistia snails exhibit interesting adaptive behaviors to cope with their environments. In drier conditions, some species are capable of aestivation (a period of dormancy similar to hibernation), where they seal themselves off with a mucus layer to conserve moisture and survive until more favorable conditions return. I believe I observed such behavior.

Gastropod mollusca

Gastropod mollusca

Next in my collection are the larger, typical slimy slugs, measuring about 12 cm. I wasn’t too comfortable holding them. Unlike snails, common slugs lack a prominent external shell. Instead, they have a reduced, internal shell or none at all. Their bodies are more elongated and flexible, which helps them navigate through tight spaces and across surfaces more easily. Slugs produce a substantial amount of mucus, which serves multiple purposes: it aids in locomotion by reducing friction between their bodies and surfaces, provides protection against predators and environmental hazards, and helps retain moisture.

How do slugs sense and taste their environment? They have two pairs of tentacles on their heads. The upper pair, known as sensory or eye stalks, contains light-sensitive cells that help them detect changes in light and darkness. The lower pair is used for touch and taste. Despite their reputation as pests, slugs have fascinated scientists and nature enthusiasts due to their unique adaptations and behaviors. Their slime trails have even inspired research into materials with similar properties for industrial and medical applications.

In exploring these fascinating snails and slugs, I’ve developed a whole new level of admiration for these little guys. And hey, if you’re wondering about the slime that got on my hands while handling them, no worries! A pinch of salt takes care of it just fine. Just to clear things up—I didn’t use any salt on the snails. I wouldn’t dream of harming them; these tiny creatures are too cool for that. So, the next time you spot a snail or slug, take a moment to appreciate their unique quirks and the tiny marvels they are. After all, a little slime never hurt anyone, and it’s all part of their charm!