Why is it unlikely that you would find gardens slugs and land snails in a desert?

Answer 1

Actually, I live in the Chihuahuan Desert and there are a few species of land snail that live here. They remain in damp, hidden places or underground and only emerge after heavy or prolonged rains. Snails are also found in a number of other deserts around the world.


That they must not dry out is the reason why it is unlikely that garden and land snails would be found in deserts.

Specifically, garden and land snails exhibit high internal water content. They must access regular moisture sources in order to conserve mucous production and prevent dehydration and desiccation. They therefore need niches within the moist habitats which will not be found in the world's arid, dry lands.

Answer 2

Snails are found in deserts but remain in sheltered areas or underground and only emerge after prolonged periods of rain. As slugs have no shell to prevent them from drying out so they would be virtually unknown in desert areas.

That they must guard against drying out is the reason why it is unlikely that garden slugs and land snails would be found in a desert.

Specifically, garden slugs and land snails are high in internal water content. They have to have regular access to moisture to keep from drying out and protect mucous production. They therefore need environments far moister than those found in the world's arid, dry lands.

Answer 3

Actually, I live in the Chihuahuan Desert and there are a few species of land snail that live here. They remain in damp, hidden places or underground and only emerge after heavy or prolonged rains. Snails are also found in a number of other deserts around the world.

Answer 4

Snails are found in deserts but remain in sheltered areas or underground and only emerge after prolonged periods of rain. As slugs have no shell to prevent them from drying out so they would be virtually unknown in desert areas.

Answer 5

That they must not dry out is the reason why it is unlikely that garden and land snails would be found in deserts.

Specifically, garden and land snails exhibit high internal water content. They must access regular moisture sources in order to conserve mucous production and prevent dehydration and desiccation. They therefore need niches within the moist habitats which will not be found in the world's arid, dry lands.

Answer 6

That they must guard against drying out is the reason why it is unlikely that garden slugs and land snails would be found in a desert.

Specifically, garden slugs and land snails are high in internal water content. They have to have regular access to moisture to keep from drying out and protect mucous production. They therefore need environments far moister than those found in the world's arid, dry lands.