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how do snails find their way home 515041
Snails follow their own slime trail and use smell to find their way back home.
Snails move very slowly, but they are good at finding their way back to their favorite spot. They leave behind a trail of slime everywhere they crawl. Scientists think snails can smell or sense this slime trail and follow it back home, like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs.
Snails also seem to remember the smells around their home area. Some studies show garden snails often return to the exact same resting spot every day, even after crawling far away to find food at night. This is called a 'homing instinct'.
Snails do not have great eyesight. Their eyes are on top of their tentacles, but they mostly use smell and touch to explore the world. This makes their sense of smell super important for finding home.
Quick facts
- Snails leave a slime trail everywhere they crawl.
- Scientists think snails can follow their own slime trail back home.
- Garden snails often return to the same resting spot every day.
- Snails have poor eyesight and rely more on smell and touch.
- A snail's eyes sit on top of its longer tentacles.
- Snails are most active at night to stay cool and moist.
Check what you remember
3 questions — all of them come from the quick facts above. There is no score and no wrong turn.
1. What do snails leave behind that might help them find home?
2. When are snails most active?
3. Where are a snail's eyes located?
Where this comes from
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1 en.wikipedia.org 85/100Snail - Wikipedia
A general page about snails, how they move and sense the world.
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2 britannica.com 82/100Snail - Britannica
A trusted encyclopedia page explaining snail bodies and habits.
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