Snail Slumber has to one of the most fascinating things about snails. If you keep snails, you may have never noticed your tiny creatures taking a power nap. Yes, that’s right. Snails do sleep. But, how long can they sleep? Do snails have a asleep cycle that is similar to humans?

Snails can go into a deep sleep called aestivation and hibernation when conditions are unfavorable. This sleep last up to 3 years, allowing them to conserve energy and survive in dry environments. On a typical day, snails experience around 7 episodes of sleeping on and off, each lasting within a span of 13 to 15 hours. After completing this sleep cycle, they stay active without any breaks for approximately 30 hours.

Turns out, you are not the only deep sleeper(pun- intended). So, what do you expect from this blog post today. Well, expect to understand the sleep cycle of snails, reasons why snails sleep for 3 years straight and how you can tell if a snail is in slumber mode. It’s going to be fun, enjoy !

Related Reading: Do Snails Have Feelings or Emotions? The Truth

Reasons Why Snail Can Sleep For 3 Years Straight

Professor Steven Richardson and Dr. Vern Lewisa from the prestigious University of Toronto embarked on a comprehensive 79-day study to unequivocally ascertain the sleeping patterns of snails. With meticulous care, they observed and analysed 8 test subjects. The discovery of their research left no room for doubt – snails do, indeed, experience periods of restful slumber( sleep). Here’s why;

1) They Need Moisture to Produce Mucus

Snails can sleep for up to 3 years when moisture is lacking. This is a fascinating adaptation that ensures their survival in adverse conditions. Moisture plays a crucial role in a snail’s life as it enables the production of the thick mucus they use to slide over surfaces effortlessly.

This mucus facilitates their movement and acts as a protective barrier, preventing damage when sliding over sharp edges like blades and knives.

Just like coping up with pain and scarcity of moisture, snails retreat into their shells and seal the aperture with a mucous membrane, forming a protective barrier( yes snails do feel pain, read full article here). This cocoon-like state serves as a shield against moisture loss and helps them retain the little water available. As a result, they can remain in this dormant state for an astonishingly long time, up to three years, until environmental conditions improve.

Fun fact: Snails are not only skilled mucus producers, but they also possess an astonishing ability to adjust the thickness of their mucus depending on the humidity levels. When the environment becomes drier, snails can produce an even thicker and stickier mucus, allowing them to cope with the scarcity of moisture. Next time you see a snail gliding gracefully across a seemingly inhospitable surface, marvel at their incredible mucus adaptation that keeps them on the move, defying the odds(Source)

2) Aestivation and Hibernation

Here comes the fun- Aestivation and hibernation as two distinct survival strategies that snails use in response to specific environmental challenges. When faced with hot and dry conditions, snails enter into a state of aestivation. This phenomenon is akin to a deep sleep or dormancy, where the snails slow down their metabolic rate significantly.

No doubt, they do this to conserve precious energy and moisture, critical for their survival during prolonged periods of drought or high temperatures. This can also be interpreted as sleep.

On the other hand, hibernation comes into play when the environment turns cold and unfavourable. As temperatures drop, snails adopt hibernation as a means to cope with the harsh winter conditions. During hibernation, the snail’s metabolic activities slow down considerably, allowing them to endure the cold and conserve energy until the weather becomes more favourable.

By entering into a state of aestivation during hot and dry spells, snails can effectively hit the “pause button” on their metabolic processes, conserving moisture and energy to endure long periods of unfavourable conditions( Source).

How Long Do Snails Sleep?- The Sleep Cycle of Snails

The sleep cycle of snails is quite distinct from that of humans. Snails exhibit a unique pattern where they experience short periods of sleep scattered throughout their waking hours. They sleep on and off approximately 7 times during a period of 13 to 15 hours. Following this, they remain active for an uninterrupted stretch of about 30 hours.

Unlike humans, who typically have consolidated sleep during the night and are awake throughout the day, snails do not have a regular sleep-wake cycle. Instead, their sleep is fragmented, with brief episodes of sleep and prolonged periods of activity, which is quite unconventional compared to human sleep patterns.

As a snail keeper, I am fascinated by this. I usually stare at my land snails in my home garden and photographed them sleeping. Here are a few pictures;

How Do Snails Sleep?

Unlike humans who get comfortable and cosy for bedtime, snails have it really really rough. They can sleep in various unconventional spots like under, rocks, door sides, attached to leaves, on walls, and even in the garden. Snails have this incredible ability to sleep upside down when needed, firmly attaching themselves to objects. This allows them to rest and recharge in unexpected places. So, don’t be surprised if you spot a snail taking a snooze in the most unexpected places!

Do Snails Sleep at Night?

You know what’s fascinating about snails? They’re actually nocturnal creatures! They fancy the night-time vibes, and that’s when they’re most active.

When the sun sets and darkness falls, snails become more active, foraging for food and exploring their surroundings. During the daytime, they seek shelter in their shells or find hidden spots to rest and protect themselves from predators and harsh weather conditions.

If you happen to come across a snail during the day, you might find it in a dormant or resting state, conserving its energy for the night-time activities, the best you can do is leave it alone or easily put it a way where it can continue it’s evolution undisrupted.

How to Tell if Your Snail is Asleep?

Figuring out if your snail is asleep can be a bit tricky since they don’t have eyelids or any obvious signs of slumber. However, here are some clues that may indicate your snail is catching some sleep;

• Inactivity: If your snail is not moving much or is staying inside its shell for an extended period, it might be taking a nap.
• Withdrawn Antennae and Eyes: When snails sleep, their antennae and eyes tend to be retracted into their shells, giving them a more withdrawn appearance.
• Shell Position: Snails may close their shells tightly when sleeping, providing a more protective covering.
• Time of Day: Since snails are nocturnal, they are more likely to be active during the night and rest during the day. So, if you spot your snail motionless during the daytime, it might be asleep.
• Sleep Spots: Snails may choose specific spots to sleep, such as hidden corners or sheltered areas within their enclosure.

Keep in mind that snails have irregular sleep patterns, and their rest might be fragmented throughout the day and night. So, observe your snail over some time to get a better understanding of its sleep habits. Remember, just like us, snails need their beauty sleep too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

I am sure you are surprised to find out that snails indeed sleep. To read more researched posts like this one, I encourage you to browse through our articles. Snails101 is a website that is specifically created for snail enthusiasts like your self. Here, you will find interesting facts about snails that will blow your mind. We are also building a community of snail lovers and we want you to be apart of it. Thank you for reading!

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

• Phys.org: First evidence of sleep in snails
• Gireaud.net: Snail Hibernation