Can Mystery Snails Live Out Of Water? Science Explained!

Last Updated on June 10, 2024 by admins

Can mystery snails live out of water? Find out if they are one of the few species of snails that have this ability.

Mysterious snails are one of the most beloved aquatic creatures in the world. They are easy to take care of, and a lot of fun, but best of all, they are excellent cleaners of freshwater aquarium tanks. These are just some of the characteristics that make them so popular in home aquariums around the world.

Have you ever noticed that they spend a good portion of their time sticking to the glass just above the surface of the water? This might make you wonder: can mystery snails live out of water? Keep reading if you want to find out.

Table of Contents

Species Summary

Before you find out the answer to the question “can mystery snails live out of water”, let us introduce you to these interesting aquarium pets.

The mystery snail (Pomacea bridgesii) originates in South America, with the highest concentration in Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia. Sometimes you will come across this extremely popular type of freshwater snail referred to as spike-topped apple snail or common apple snail.

As for their life in the wild, they can most often be found collecting plant matter in various water bodies such as rivers, swamps, and ponds. However, they spend most of their time at the bottom due to the highest concentration of organic plant material.

Did you know that there are species of mysterious snails that are considered invasive species in some parts of the world? Wondering how this is even possible? The reason lies in human-assisted distribution as well as their natural durability.

As for their lifespan, it lasts about a year, and the same goes for many other water snails that you find in home aquariums. You may have once thought that the problem is in you because your pet dies within a year, but this is not an animal where you can greatly extend their lifespan, even when you work hard and provide them with perfect care and habitat conditions.

Accordingly, it is extremely rare for the life span of a mysterious snail to exceed one year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Finally, don’t be fooled because you can greatly affect the reduction in their lifespan if you do not provide them with all the necessary conditions for a healthy and happy life.

Physical Appearance

As for their looks, they generally look like typical snails, at least when it comes to their build. However, you can distinguish them by color as they have a variety of different colors and patterns. In most cases, their shell has brown or white as the primary color, and in addition, they may or may not have stripes, which are generally quite darker than their primary color and also vary in width. Finally, their bodies come in a variety of colors, most commonly whiteish-gray, yellow, dark gray, or black.

Now that you’ve gotten to know the species better, find out the answer to the question “can mystery snails live out of water”.

Can Mystery Snails Live Out Of Water?

Not all aquarium snails like to explore outside the surface of aquarium water. Truth be told, those who don’t like it prevail over those who do. Why is that so? Because by staying out of the water, their body surface dries out. They will not die if they are accidentally found outside, but it is advisable to return them to the water as soon as possible to avoid various damages, diseases, and eventual death.

So, can mystery snails live out of water? – Well, we’re not really sure they can actually live, but they can survive out of water. Namely, there are several types of aquarium snails, and among them the mystery snail that relies on the lungs to breathe and therefore gets oxygen from the air.

So, they can spend some time outside the surface of the water, but still cannot survive, because when exposed to air for extended periods of time, their body loses moisture and dries out. Mysterious snails usually leave the water to lay eggs and return soon after. If you don’t want to take a risk, you can prevent them from leaving the tank in a very easy way. Simply cover the container and place them in a separate container so they can lay eggs.

How Long Can They Spend Out Of The Water?

Unlike all other aquarium snails, the bodies of mysterious snails dry out much sooner. This greatly shortens the time they are “allowed” to spend outside the aquarium. Experts claim that these animals can only live for about 12 to 24 hours outside the water at a stretch.

However, keep in mind that if the temperature is low and the humidity level is high, the mystery snails can spend even a few days out of the aquarium water. Now you know the correct answer to the question “can mystery snails live out of water”.

Final Words: Can Mystery Snails Live Out Of Water?

There are very few species of aquarium snails that can survive out of the water, and the mystery snail is one of them. Their survival period can vary from a few hours to several days, depending on conditions. If you notice that your snails are regularly trying to escape from the aquarium, try to investigate the problem to find an adequate solution.

Did you know the correct answer to the question “can mystery snails live out of water” before reading this article? Let us know in the section below.

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