How snails hibernate

Fascinating animals, snails give an aquarium a distinct charm all their own. They exhibit a lesser-known behavior called hibernation, despite being well-known for their leisurely movements and fascinating shells. They can withstand severe environments thanks to this process, both in the wild and in aquariums.

Better care for snails in aquariums can be achieved by aquarium owners having a better understanding of their hibernation process. Your snails can stay safe and healthy throughout their life cycle if you know what to do during the hibernation period and can identify the signs of it.

This article will discuss aquarium snails’ hibernation habits, what causes them to do so, and how to care for them during this normal cycle.

Aspect Details
Preparation Snails slow down their metabolism and seek a safe place to hibernate.
Environment Cooler temperatures and reduced food trigger hibernation.
Duration Hibernation can last from a few weeks to several months.
Signs The snail withdraws into its shell and becomes inactive.
Waking Up Warmer temperatures and food availability wake the snail.

Who goes into hibernation

The lifestyle of snails is determined by their membership in the gastropod class. This biological species’ land representatives hibernate during the winter. Because of this, they can withstand the cold with little use of their essential energy. As early as October, some mollusk species (Helix pomatia, H. lucorum) start their hibernation cycles. Only in early April, when consistent warmth finally arrives, do they awaken.

Preparation for wintering

The mollusk must gather a variety of nutrients in order to hibernate as comfortably as possible. They will provide support for its body while it is sleeping. In winter, where does the snail go? For the winter, it must dig or find a place of its own. Mollusks dig burrows far below the surface, where the temperature stays between +7°C and +8°C and the soil does not freeze. Many mollusks "go for wintering" in October in preparation for waking up somewhere in mid-April when spring warmth arrives.

Snail – a digger

Although snails seem very slow, they are able to dig a fairly deep hole in a relatively short period of time to settle in it for the winter. They do this with the help of a muscular leg. And the depth of the burrow will depend on the local climate and soil structure. With the help of the head part of the body, the snail grabs lumps of soil, then presses them to the sole with its bent head, and moves them along the body to its back. Moving lumps of soil becomes possible due to wave-like contractions of the leg muscles. After the soil is on the surface of the shell, the snail grabs the next lump and moves it out. In this case, the depth of the hole gradually increases, and the mollusk burrows deeper and deeper into the ground, ending up under a layer of soil. The depth of the burrow for winter hibernation in mollusks can vary from 10 to 30 cm. If the soil is too dense, and the mollusk is not able to dig a hole in it, it builds something like a hut from fallen leaves. When snow falls, the foliage will serve as thermal insulation, which will not allow such a shelter to freeze.

When the weather turns cold or unfavorable, snails slow down their metabolism to store energy and go into hibernation. They withdraw into their shells during this time, covering the opening with a layer of mucus to keep themselves safe until the surroundings are once again favorable. Aquarium enthusiasts must comprehend this natural process in order to guarantee the health of their snails during the winter months.

Wintering

An equally interesting topic is how snails winter. The beginning of the process of winter dormancy in these gastropods coincides with a decrease in the ambient temperature to +7 ° C. At this time, the mollusk has certain biorhythms that force it to start preparing for wintering. The mollusk begins to look for shelter in October. If it is not lucky enough to find a ready-made hole, it will have to dig it itself, or build a shelter from fallen leaves. When everything is ready, the snail will have to seal the entrance to the shell with an epiphragm, and rest until spring. But the entrance to the mouth of the shell does not close tightly. There is still a small hole in it through which the snail breathes. To notice gas exchange processes, you can lower the mollusk into water. After this, air bubbles will begin to rise from under the lid.

The mouth of a gastropod is always facing upwards when it is dormant during the winter. In addition, because of the air gap, the shell’s entrance does not come into contact with the ground. It shields the snail from bacterial infiltration, keeps the cap dry, and allows for unhindered breathing.

What is needed for awakening

  • slowing down of metabolic processes;
  • change in the chemical composition of hemolymph (the snail"s "blood");
  • change in the composition of intracellular fluid.

The purpose of these transformations is to shield the snail’s body from frostbite and enable it to endure temperatures as low as -7°C. The mollusks will start to burrow even deeper into the soil if the temperature drops further, and they will cover the opening of the shell with an extra layer of film. This will facilitate the creation of an additional air chamber, serving as a further barrier against heat.

It is well known that snails lose a substantial portion of their body weight—more than 20%—during extended hibernation. In this instance, the first 25 to 30 days see the biggest loss (roughly 10%). This is due to a few factors. The mollusk is essentially in a state of suspended animation when metabolic processes eventually diminish to the bare minimum required for life. This explains how snails, with a weak, barely perceptible heartbeat and breathing, survive the winter without food.

Coming out of hibernation

We now know how snails spend the winter, but what time of year do mollusks awaken? This occurs when the soil warms to a temperature of +8°C to +10°C at a depth of 5 to 10 cm.

The mollusk’s body needs to replenish the nutrients it stored during the winter when it emerges from its period of winter dormancy. Its ability to absorb food in excess of its own weight stems from this.

Once their lives have returned to normal, snails look for partners and produce offspring.

You can better care for snails in your aquarium if you understand how they hibernate. You can guarantee their health during their dormant phases by giving them the proper conditions and keeping an eye on their behavior.

Watch for variations in food availability and temperature, as these can cause hibernation. It’s important to help your snails through this natural process if you see that they are getting less active. Your snails may be getting ready to hibernate.

Keep in mind that snails hibernate as a means of survival, so it’s important to be considerate of their needs during this period. Your snails will come out of hibernation healthy and prepared to flourish in your aquarium if you give them the proper care.

Video on the topic

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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