Mollusc · not an insect · Helix pomatia
Discover the roman snail
A spiralling home travels slowly through moss. Puschel and Flauschi give it time.
The short answer
A Roman snail carries a coiled shell and glides on a broad muscle called its foot. A mucus trail helps. Its eyes are on the long tentacles, above a shorter pair.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
After rain Puschel discovers a snail on a mossy stone. Puschel“It takes its home along!” Flauschi crouches nearby, keeping her distance.
Puschel waits while it slowly glides on. Puschel“We could go faster,” he whispers. Flauschi“But we do not need to make it go faster,” says Flauschi.
When the snail reaches the stone’s edge, they both smile. Puschel has practised something sometimes harder than running: letting someone move at their own pace.
What it looks like
A Roman snail has a rounded spiral shell, two long tentacles and two shorter ones. Its eyes are on the long pair.
How it lives
It glides on a muscular foot. A mucus trail helps it move; it has no insect legs.
Good to know
Snails are molluscs. Moist places matter; a Roman snail can withdraw into its shell.
Little Wusel quiz
How does a Roman snail move forward without legs?
Show answer
It glides on a muscular foot; mucus helps it move forward.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
One foot supports the body
A broad muscular foot moves beneath the snail. Mucus helps it glide.
Tentacles are not legs
Long tentacles carry eyes, with shorter ones below. The shell belongs to the body, not a removable backpack.
Moisture matters
Dryness makes life difficult; suitable damp places are needed. Observe features without removing snails from shelter.
Explore animal sounds
This close recording captures the quiet feeding sounds of a Roman snail. Background noise is audible too. Open the original recording with an adult; leave outdoor snails undisturbed.