Snails have diverse diets that vary by species and habitat, but generally, they are mostly herbivorous and feed on a wide range of plant materials. Here is a detailed overview of what snails eat:

What Snails Eat

• Plants and Vegetation: Most snails consume fresh leaves, stems, bark, and soft fruits. In gardens, they often eat crops such as lettuce, cabbage, strawberries, and mushrooms. They also feed on dying or decomposed plant matter like withered leaves and decayed grass, which helps recycle nutrients in the ecosystem

• Algae and Fungi: Aquatic snails eat algae growing on rocks and submerged logs as well as floating or submerged aquatic plants like duckweed and water lettuce. Terrestrial snails also consume fungi and mushroom threads

• Decaying Organic Matter: Many snails are detritivores, feeding on dead leaves, plant debris, and other decaying organic material, contributing to decomposition and soil health

• Calcium Sources: Snails require calcium to maintain and build their shells. They often ingest small amounts of soil, sand, or rocks to obtain necessary minerals for shell strength

• Animal Matter: While most snails are herbivorous, some species are omnivorous or carnivorous. Carnivorous snails feed on small animals such as slugs, earthworms, and other mollusks. For example, the New Zealand genus Powelliphanta preys on other gastropods. Some snails may also eat carrion or even eggs of slugs and other snails

• Baby Snails: Young snails initially consume their egg shells and sometimes non-viable siblings to obtain calcium and nutrients before moving on to species-specific food

Feeding Mechanism

Snails use a radula, a tongue-like organ with tiny teeth, to scrape or cut food into small pieces before ingestion. This radula can even drill through hard shells in carnivorous species but wears down over time and is continuously reformed

Summary

• Primarily eat plants: leaves, stems, fruits, and crops
• Consume fungi, algae, and decaying organic matter
• Require calcium from soil or other sources for shell health
• Some species are carnivorous or omnivorous, eating small animals or carrion
• Young snails feed on egg shells and organic debris initially

This diverse diet allows snails to adapt to various environments, from gardens to aquatic ecosystems