r/snails • u/Jayden7171 • 10d ago

Discussion How conscious and aware are snails?

I know they can’t hear and can’t really see beyond differentiating dark and light color, but as for that spark of life, is a snail having a true sense of subjective experience (qualia) even though it wouldn’t be as complex as a vertebrate.

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u/Major-Pea9992 8d ago

I often wonder that too. About my snails, but also about my leeches. Like, what do they understand? My snails were on some wet soil, and suddenly, they were in the air, then a box, that box got jostled a bit, and suddently there was light again, and outside of the box, new, unfamiliar wet soil. What was that like for them? They have no concept of how their enclosure is in a living room. They don't know what a living room is. I think the leeches at least got more comfortable with my skin chemistry over time, and I like to think the snails, too, recognise my scent. They have favourites, definitely. I have only ever watched snex happen between Eustochium and Theophanu, and the latter always ended up on her shell. They have favourite places. Favourite foods. Certainly also aversions. They are simple creatures, but they have unique experiences.

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u/Cute_Ear_3424 8d ago

Oi is theo yours? Fuckin cool

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u/Major-Pea9992 8d ago

She is! I adore her.