Category: Invertebrates
“Snail” is a common name applied to most members of the class “Gastropoda” that have a coiled shell that is big enough for the animal to recoil into completely – this can include a vast number (thousands) of species of land snails, freshwater snails, and marine snails. Snail-like creatures that lack a shell or have only a small shell that they cannot retract into are known as slugs and semi-slugs, respectively. Although land snails are the most familiar to most people, marine snails constitute the majority of snail species and display much greater diversity. Slugs and snails, with their appetite for tender greens, can be agricultural pests, but some snail species are a highly valued food source and are farmed as a nutritious and even gourmet food source.
Rub some dirt on it!
Could it be we have been too good at ridding our bodies of parasitic worms? Believe it or not, our efforts at keeping squeaky-clean and sanitary in the developed world may be contributing to increased allergies, asthma, psoriasis, even autoimmune diseases. The human immune system, having evolved with parasitic worms, recognizes them, and has learned to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing when these tiny intruders are sensed. While getting worms may be seen as too high a price to pay for many, for people suffering from severe allergies or colitis, it may be worth it. Victims of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease have shown a promising reduction in symptoms (even remission in Crohn’s) after ingesting whipworm eggs - a treatment that may be worth it to some until a cure is found!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
