Are my snails having sex?

[ILOVEBETTAS]

So one of my mystery snails climbed up on a bigger one's back and is sticking out a tube-like thingy into the other snail's side. I thought they were hermaphrodites, or can they have sex? I swear this isn't just an eye stalk looking at the other snail's thingy, its a... thing!

 

[msjinkzd]

mystery snails are not hemaphrodites. They may be mating. More specific info and images are available at www.applesnail.net Get ready for some egg clutches! The female can store sperm for months to fertilize the eggs.

 

[ILOVEBETTAS]

Oh lawwwwd.... I might be a grandma!

 

[ILOVEBETTAS]

wait a second, they aren't mystery snails, they're apple snails! that explains that.

 

[Vortex]

Even hermaphrodite snails have sex to reproduce. Some species may impregnate themselves if there are no mates, but it is not common.

If a species reproduced by making clones of itself (parthenogenesis) it would be very susceptible to parasites and diseases. Sexual reproduction introduces genetic variations that make a species more resistant and adaptable. Few multicellular animals reproduce asexually.

 

[thebullit]

sounds like there mating, congrats get ready for some eggs.

 

[DarkSoul]

apple snails = mystery snails

 

[Flaringshutter]

Here's a good way to look at it:

Apple snails = Birds = general term for animal

Mystery snails = Parrots or Sparrows = specific species

"apple snail" generally refers to any snail from the genus Pomacea.
"mystery snail" generally refers to the species Pomacea Bridgesii.

And yes, they were most likely mating. Refer to applesnail.net for a good idea on how to humanely dispose of, or hatch, the resulting clutch of eggs.

 

[ILOVEBETTAS]

ok yall!