Interactions
Terrestrial snail activity is strongly influenced by many factors. For example, the range of temperature, the amount of moisture, the intensity of light, and especially the availability of shelter greatly regulate the amount of activity that snails partake in (Nekola, 2000). Since snails normally move only short distances of centimeters or even meters a day, unless to find food or a mate, the conditions within the environment must be favorable (Nekola, 2000). With high humidity and cooler temperatures, usually found after rain storms, snails can become more active (Nekola, 2000). Most land snails are active at night where they do not risk drying out in the warmer temperatures, however, unless the conditions just stated are met, they may be periodically active in the day time (Nekola, 2000).
Since long-distances are not normally traversed by the snail alone, it is thought that they reach farther distances by means of mammals, birds, insects, or by humans on food, plants, or machinery (Nekola, 2000).
Land snails require adequate amounts of moisture in order to to carry out their day-to-day functions such as reproduction, movement, and leaving behind a mucus trail as they migrate (Nekola, 2000).