Coitus
Liliana the Mermaid
Petra
Scientia capitibus
Silvana
Wilhelmina
Involucrum colli
Humidum digitos
Klaus
Snail copulation is a fascinating and intricate process that varies depending on the species, as some snails are hermaphroditic while others have distinct male and female genders. In hermaphroditic species, such as the common garden snail, both participating snails have the ability to act as both male and female. The courtship often involves a slow, ritualistic dance, where the snails circle each other and may even exchange “love darts,” which are calcareous structures that help in sperm transfer. Once they are aligned correctly, they extend their copulatory organs, which are usually located near their heads, and exchange sperm packets. This mutual exchange allows both snails to fertilize their eggs, thereby increasing their reproductive success. The entire process is a delicate ballet that can take hours, reflecting the slow-paced life of these intriguing creatures.
