Garden snail; Caracol común

Description:

Land snail, pulmonate gastropod. The adult bears a hard, thin calcareous shell up to 4 cm. The eyes are located at the end of the longest pair of tentacles, while the other pair has tactile functions. The two pairs of tentacles can retract and remain hidden, before the body of the animal is in its shell. The mouth is located beneath the tentacles, and contains a chitinous radula which the snail uses to scrape the feeding plants. They move very slowly through contractions and stretching of the body. They produce a mucus that reduces friction and helps the displacement. In addition, this mucus contributes to the regulation thermal, reduces the aggression of bacteria and fungi and keeps away possible predators like ants. When is retracts inside the shell secret a mucus special that is hardens to form an operculum which helps the snail retain moisture. They are incomplete hermaphrodites, so, although they have male and female reproductive organs, need to join another snail to procreate. A few days after mating, each individual will make a hole in the ground of about 4 centimeters in depth, and introducing the head will place about 80 small white eggs, which hatch in 20 days. When emerging they have a nacre aspect and are partially transparent.

Habitat:

Spotted at a deciduous forest at mountain terrain. Parque Natural de Somiedo

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.; f/10; ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. Flash fired