Snails are slow; the garden snail has a speed of 1.3 centimeters per second. Other than being one the slowest animals on earth, do you know how long snails live for? Depending on the species, the snail can live for a relatively long time.
Here is a summary on the average lifespan of a snail;
Snails generally have a lifespan of between 2 to 15 years
A high metabolism in snails usually results in a shorter lifespan
A snail cannot hear and although they can see, scientists believe their eyesight is not the best. They do make up for it with an extraordinary sense of smell and can spot food from a few meters away.
Some species of snails are poisonous. Most land species are not poisonous but sea species can be dangerous. The cone snail for instance has a poisonous sting that can be fatal. [1]
How Long Do Snails Live?
In the wild, the average lifespan of snails is between 2 to 5 years and 10 to 15 years in captivity. Snails generally live longer in captivity than in the wild mostly due to absence of predators in captivity.
The oldest known living snail was a tree snail named George who died at 14 years of age.
Different species of snails also have different lifespans as illustrated below:
| Average Lifespan of a Snail | |
|---|---|
| Mystery Snails | up to 2 years |
| Unicorn Snails | up to 2.5 years |
| Hairy Snails | up to 3 years |
| Garden Snails | up to 3 years |
| Aquarium Snails | up to 10 years |
| Conch snails | up to 10 years |
| Nerite Snails | up to 5 years |
| Freshwater Snails | up to 3 years |
| Giant African Land Snail | up to 9 years |
How Long Do Mystery Snails Live?
The mystery snail is a freshwater snail originating from South America in Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia.
The average lifespan of a mystery snail is around 1 year, although there are cases of 2-year lifespans. Mystery snails commonly spot a light brown or faded shell.
Water temperature is a key factor affecting a snail’s lifespan since they are unable to regulate their environment.
Mystery snails that live in warmer water temperatures are more physically active and energetic because of increased metabolism and are more likely to have a shorter lifespan.
Related: how long do Axolotls live?
Average Lifespan of Garden Snails
Garden snails are some of the most commonly existing snail species. They have an average lifespan of 3 years though they live longer in captivity.
Originating from Europe, this species commonly spots a dark or light brown shell with white edges. The garden snail feeds on herbs, fruit trees, flowers, cereals, and the bark of trees.
Garden snails are prey to predators such as worms, insects, frogs, and lizards.
These snails are considered unwanted pests due to its herbivorous nature.
How Long Do Aquarium Snails Live?
Aquarium snails on average live for about 1 to 2 years although they can live to 10 years depending on the species and water quality.
Common aquarium snail species include the Ramshorn, nerite, and apple snail. Aquarium snails should ideally live in water temperatures of about 65 to 82 Fahrenheit.
A higher aquarium temperature will increase their metabolism causing them to move through their life cycle at a faster rate dying between one to two years. In slower metabolism conditions however, snails can live for 3 to 10 years.
How Long Do Nerite Snails Live?
Nerite snails occur as freshwater and saltwater species and are popular freshwater aquarium snails. Nerite snails can live up to 5 years.
Different varieties of nerite snails exist including Zebra, Olive, Tiger, Horned, and Black Racer Nerite snails.
Nerite snails are adaptable to a range of water conditions but thrive in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit with an alkaline pH of 7.5. Their diet hugely consists of algae including soft brown, soft film, and soft green algae.
Related: How long do turtles live?
Average Lifespan of Freshwater Snails
Freshwater snails reside on water plants and in mud. They live on algae-covered rocks, concrete, or stones. Freshwater snails live for 2 to 3 years in the wild and 15 years in captivity.
Some examples of freshwater snail species include assassin, pond, bladder, Malaysian trumpet, mystery, and rabbit snails.
Their lifespan varies based on their species and the habitat in which they reside. In streams, for instance, species can live for up to 5 years while they typically have a maximum lifespan of one and a half years in ponds and lakes. Snails living in nutrient-rich habitats generally grow faster and have a shorter lifespan.
It is interesting to see the wide range of factors affecting just how long a snail lives. We hope that this article has been informative in understanding the lifespan of these wonderful creatures.
