Can snails fart? This question was asked by students and answered by experts.
This is one of the questions posted by a co-production between ABC KIDS listen and The Conversation.
Structure and features
Families could read this article together with their children.
Together you can think scientifically and engage in some further research to answer the inquiry questions.
After reading the article, answer the following inquiry questions:
- do snails have a digestive system? How is it the same to humans? How is it different?
- what is the name of the gas in farts?
- animals that are invertebrates all have soft bodies that typically have a 'head' and a 'foot' region. Often their bodies are covered by a hard exoskeleton, as in the shells of snails and clams. Which other animals are like snails and belong to the phylum called molluscs?
- in the article, click on the database link showing which animals fart and which ones don't. Do any of the molluscs fart?
- what is your prediction? What is your response? Do snails fart or not?
More snail investigations
Collect some snails from your garden or watch a video on snails to explore these science inquiry questions:
- do snails move in a straight lines?
- can snails smell?
- can snails move across any kind of surface? Why or why not?
- do snails like moist or dry carrots?
- do snails move towards the light or dark areas?
- do snails like hot or cold temperatures?
- can you see a snails heart pumping?
- why do snails leave a trail behind them?
Teacher notes
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Science understanding strand
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Biological science
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Year 7
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Classification.
This article and inquiry questions could connect with:
- year 5
- adaptations.
Students learn the structural features and adaptations that snails have to help them survive in their environment.
Consider what other animals are similar to the snail and also belong to the phylum called molluscs.
