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Snail is a common name for gastropod molluscs that can be split into three groups, land snails, sea snails and freshwater snails.
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Snails can have lungs or gills depending on the species and their habitat. Some marine snails actually can have lungs and some land based snails can have gills.
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Snail-like animals that do not have a shell are usually called slugs.
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Most snail species have a ribbon-like tongue called a radula that contains thousands of microscopic teeth. The radula works like a file, ripping food up into tiny pieces.
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The majority of snails are herbivores eating vegetation such as leaves, stems and flowers, some larger species and marine based species can be predatory omnivores or even carnivores.
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The giant African land snail grows to about 38 cm (15 in) and weigh 1 kg (2lb).
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The largest living sea snail species is the Syrinx aruanus who's shell can reach 90 cm (35 in) in length and the snail can weigh up to 18 kg (40lbs)!
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Common garden snails have a top speed of 45 m (50 yards) per hour. Making the snail one of the slowest creatures on Earth.
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As they move along snails leave behind a trail of mucus which acts as a lubricant to reduce surface friction. This also allows the snail to move along upside down.
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Depending on the species snails can live 5 - 25 years.
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The common garden snail is regarded as an agricultural and garden pest as it eats the leaves and stems of crops.
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The snail is a delicacy in French cuisine called escargot. The snail is also eaten in many other countries of the world, often as a fried meal.
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In English, the expression "a snail's pace" is a term used to describe a slow, inefficient process and "snail mail" is now commonly used when referring to sending regular mail rather than that sent by email.