Nutrition

Most land snails are omnivorous. It can be assumed that most polygyrids feed on mycelia or the fruiting bodies of fungi. They can also grow on  plant material such as lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes if they are held in a laboratory (Perez, 2008). 



Land snails use their chemo and tactile receptors on their tentacles, olfactory senses, and highly developed eye sight to find food (Land snail). Once they have found the food, they use their radula to rip and tear up the food. The radula is a rasp tongue that snails use for feeding (Land snail). The food that the radula rips apart is then taken to the esophagus for digestion (Land snail).


At first, the saliva begins the digestion of the food. Then it is moved into the gastric pouch using muscular contractions (Land snail). Digestive enzymes break down the food as it moves along. Symbiotic bacteria cultures help break down the cellulose of the plants if they were digested (Land snail).  


Connected to the gastric pouch is the digestive gland. The digestive gland helps break down the food even more and also helps to absorb it (Land snail). After this, food is moved through the intestine, rectum, and then is excreted out the anal pore (Land snail).
                                                                                                                                       Radula Diagram

Click HERE to learn about the reproduction of Inflectarius rugeli.

 

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