Ways of Life
Nutrition:
The Japanese mystery snail diet includes sludge and detritus.
The variety of bacteria provides necessary sustenance. The
Japanese mystery snail also consumes zooplankton and
phytoplankton (Kurihara and
Kadowaki, 1988).
Reproduction:
Females are slightly larger than males. Ovaries are
present in the female species and testes in the male species. A
male Japanese Mystery Snail lacks a normal penis, so instead
they have adapted a stronger, shorter right tentacle to function
as the penis (Animal Diversity Web,
2000).
Copulation leads to internal fertilization and direct
development of the young. As this species is from the viviparidae
family, the female bears live small snails that are crawling at
birth (Animal Diversity Web, 2000).
They are released one by one through the vagina. Females
may bear 10-120 young. The life span of the female is up
to 8 years (Jokinen, 1992).
Next, you can learn more Japanese Snail Facts!