Snails don’t often go viral online, but they can be just as cute as some of the other animal videos you see! Given how small they are, it’s easy to forget that they go around snacking on different foods. One of these foods is mushrooms! This Instagram post by @malamamushrooms shows a snail chowing down on a mushroom. It’s a lot cuter than you might think! Keep reading here to learn more about what snails eat.
Snails have tongues covered in tiny teeth.
©Andrey Abryutin/Shutterstock.com
Chowing Down
In the video above, a snail is happily eating away at a mushroom. This adorable video is shot in close-up to provide a detailed view of the snail. While the cuteness of snails is up for debate, this video definitely shows a snail at its cutest. The snail’s slow and carefree way of eating is also relaxing, helping you forget about some of the busier aspects of life that wear us down. If you need a little pick-me-up, this video is perfect for you. (The species of snail and mushroom are not clearly labeled).
What Do Snails Eat?
While the snail species cannot be easily identified from the video, snails generally have a varied diet. Mushrooms are, of course, one of them. As snails live on forest floors, they tend to eat whatever they can find. Because mushrooms are soft, snails can easily eat them using their radula—a tongue covered with tiny teeth. Mushrooms are also full of nutrients, perfect for providing energy and hydration to the snail. Snails also eat plenty of other foods, such as leaves, stems, algae, fruits, and vegetables. They also feed on decaying matter, aiding in the decomposition process. This makes snails either herbivores or detritivores, depending on their diet. While small, they have an important role in the ecosystem! By feeding on a variety of foods, snails help maintain balance in the ecosystem—just as the snail is feeding on a mushroom in the video above.
