Did you know that a single snail has between 2,000 and 15,000 teeth between its jaws? Scary. Right?
Inside of a snail’s mouth looks like it is lined with Velcro, just like a saw or a chain hooking inwards making it easy for the animal to tear onto its prey and slide it down, without a hurry, of course.
Inside of a snails mouth is more terrifying than that of a shark. It is made up of mollusk cycles through its teeth, with new layers growing at the back of the mouth and with time, pushing out those in front.
Most people take snails as dull and slow animals that are ‘never in a hurry.’ This might be true but there are other snails that are capable of surviving in harsh environments including paralyzing their enemy.
Do people eat snails?
To some people, consuming snails is just unimaginable. How do you even start? But to some people, land snails are part of their favorite dishes.
Many people around the world find snails to be delicious either as an appetizer or the main meal. Snails are nutritious, low in fat, high in water and proteins and are part of several dishes.
In France, snails are always part of the menu. They are prepared with garlic and parsley butter, added for seasoning and served in their shell. In fact, a meal of snails is very expensive because it is considered a delicacy.
In the US, there is a huge market for snails (meals) that are imported from many countries. Millions of snails are consumed around the world annually. In fact, did you know that 24th of May is usually the National Escargot Day? (National Snails Day) (Escargot is a common name for snails when prepared in a meal.)
Now, next time you see a snail at your door, know that as much as it might be your poison, it is another man’s meat.