Elevating Snail

[Melody]

One of the coolest tricks I've seen Applesnails do is their helicopter lift-off. They can be on the bottom, work their natural buoyancy and move straight up to the top. I was taking pic's of the snails scarfing fruit tonight and caught one of the Petsmart Brig's doing it:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-PSBrig.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-PSBrig-elevate.jpg


They use their lung to pull it off and manipulate their body to control it. Applesnails have both a 'gill' and a lung.

That's why my Son's science fair project on buoyancy featured snails. He advanced to the Districts and brought home the silver, so if you know any kids in need of a fair project its worth considering. :smile:

[CACAdmin]

That is so cool. I also love when they lower themselves in a similar fashion slowly and with careful aim and body manipulation to a particular algae covered leaf.

[Melody]

The lung thing is great, but the most fascinating part is how they work the body to control it.. they have more control than a parachute. You can see them working their weight this way and that, using their foot in a parachute fashion... it is tres cool.:smile:

[Katalyst]

My haustrum's do it and I swear they use the pleco's as yellow landing pads, who hate it. :Frog: