They are highly edible by birds and other animals, move very slowly, leave a trace of their path and have no defence weapons.
Would you have predicted their success had it not been staring us in the face?
2006-07-10 08:32:42 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
A rolling glob of snot in a box - a success?
2006-07-10 08:34:54 · answer #1 · answered by arnold 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question.
Using a definition for evolutionary success of a clade as numbers of species, and perhaps phylogenetic longevity...
They are not defensless since many carry their own armor and shelter with them at all times. Many are also toxic. These factors certainly play a role.
I might also suggest that they are relatively sedentary, or at least slow moving, legendarily so. Couple this with their breeding system and some long distance dispersal and you have a built in potential for speciation.
2006-07-10 15:49:08 · answer #2 · answered by dr. d. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you consider how many eggs they have and how often they multiply, it fits the number that get murdered each day by countless enemies. Humans thankfully do die as often and do not produce asmany offspring.
I do not think that snails are very homely / motherly to each other and will mate with anyone.
Ihave owned the large african land snails in the past and when you see their little faces close up you just fall in love.
they have the ability to sleep for years as well so they could avoid flloods and famines.
thank you for your question
x x x
2006-07-10 15:43:04 · answer #3 · answered by pa1mcd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't, but then I'm no biologist. But then, when has a biologist ever picked a winner? Evolution is too slow for them to ever get a scorecard running. So anyway, I don't know the answer but I may hang around until someone who does comes along, cos it's gonna bug me now.
2006-07-10 15:39:55 · answer #4 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be successful you need to be able to reproduce efficiently, have a varied diet and be able to avoid predation. Snails are pretty good at all three of these things.
2006-07-18 07:12:24 · answer #5 · answered by uselessadvice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they live in their food,are protected from drying out by having a shell,produce loads of eggs and can bonk any other snail who's roughly their size...Ha! Well done!
2006-07-23 18:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by Sara B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL @ Panacea
use your brain. evolution is not in question anymore. it is a fact, not up for debate.
as for snails, i would say that the ability to live in a shell is good for protection against predators, and the asexual reproduction definitely helps.
2006-07-10 15:41:32 · answer #7 · answered by Critical Mass 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't the French eat them too...? And salt, they can't even handle a dash of it. Sad. I think they should get 1st place in worst evolutionary life form.
2006-07-10 15:41:19 · answer #8 · answered by erotikos_stratiotis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some snails are hermaphrodites, they have both female and male sex organs, which makes it very easy for them to reproduce.
2006-07-10 15:35:49 · answer #9 · answered by satanorsanta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not an evoloutionary success as they have not changed (evolved) for millions of years.
2006-07-10 15:45:33 · answer #10 · answered by The Wandering Blade 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋