Saturday, November 11th 2006
Chasing Snails
Posted by Johnny
Sarah and I were walking along the beach of the Indian Ocean when we came across what looked like a bunch of snails. These snails had feet that looked like gelatinous wings that flapped along the sand carrying them quite quickly. They all seemed to stop at the same time and then dug themselves into the sand where they remained until the next wave came in. Then they did it all over again.
There was no mention of them on any of the informational posters that were lined up along the beach. I’m fine with the mystery. For us city kids, any up-close nature is awe-inspiring. Even after a lengthy African safari!
Lol those are not snails laffin at you so funny there crabs
Some crustaceans that look somewhat like crabs belong to the Anomura. They differ from true crabs by having at most only three pairs of walking legs instead of four. Some anomurans are hermit crabs which have a soft coiled abdomen protected by a snail shell. Most hermit crabs are scavengers on dead plant or animal matter. Hermit crabs are divided into families partly on which of the two claws is bigger. Other anomurans are the false crabs, flat and with similar sized chelipeds. The abdomen is a short flap tucked under the thorax and there are only three pairs of walking legs.
you cracks me up but i still lover you mr hazzard sir lol
When I first saw this I also thought they were crabs. If you look closely, that is a single, ventral foot on those bad boys. Definitely gastropods.