Snail Temperature Experiment + Snails & Slugs Homeschool Unit Study

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This Snail Temperature Experiment is part of my new Snails & Slugs Science Unit Study! Perfect for homeschool! Scroll to the very end to learn more about this unit!




Do snails have blood? What does cold-blooded mean? How do snails protect themselves from the cold? It's all a part of this lesson! 


Lesson 2: Snail Temperature Experiment

Science Topics: Scientific Method (observation, predictions, testing, analysis, conclusions, critical thinking), warm-blooded, cold-blooded, ectotherm, endotherm, hibernate

Supplies:

  • Paper plates, boxes, or something else to hold the snails
  • 4-8 snails
  • Refrigerator
  • Timer or clock
  • Ruler and pen
  • Optional: Snail Temperature Lab

Part 1: Preparation.  Place half the snails in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. Keep the other half at a warm room temperature.

Optionally, fill out the Snail Temperature Lab sheet as you move through the lesson.

Part 2: Predict. Place all the snails at one end of a plate or box. Draw a “finish line” 6 inches in front of them. How long do you think it will take them to reach the finish line? Will the temperature affect their speed?

Note: Some snails may not come out of their shells until they are warm!

Part 3: Test. Let the race begin! Time how long it takes each snail to reach the finish line. Record if it was a refrigerated snail or room temperature snail.

Part 4: Analyze & Conclude. Did the fastest snails have anything in common? What about the slowest? Can you create a graph showing their speeds? What part of the experiment did you change? What part of the experiment told you the results?

For Older/Advanced Kids:

What was the independent variable (the variable “I” changed)?  {in this case, the temperature of the snails}

What was the dependent variable (the variable that tells you the results)? {in this case, the speed of the snails}

Make a graph showing the independent variable on the x-axis (horizontal) and the dependent variable on the y-axis (vertical).

Fun Discussion Information:

Snails and slugs are “cold-blooded” or, in other words, their body temperature is controlled by their environment. The official name for a cold-blooded animal is “ectotherm,” which means “outside temperature.” Animals that can control their own body temperature are called “warm-blooded” or “endotherms.” Some cold-blooded animals actually have very warm blood on warm days, but since they can’t control the temperature, we call them “cold-blooded.”

When cold-blooded animals like snails (or snakes or insects!) get cooler (like in a refrigerator or on a cold day), they move slower. You can expect to see your refrigerated snails move slower than your room temperature snails, but sometimes even warm snails are not in a mood to race! What did your snails do?

If snails get too cold, they begin to hibernate. (That’s why we only refrigerated them for 30 minutes!) When the temperatures drop, the snail will get rid of all the moisture and “poop” it can, then hide completely inside its shell, and make a thick “operculum” to cover the entrance to its shell. Its heart rate will slow down and it will wait for the spring to come. A healthy snail can hibernate (without eating or opening its operculum) for 4-6 months!

Check out the operculum on a snail from the Black Sea in the image at the top of this post!

I hope you had a great time studying snails and temperature!! This is the second lesson in the Snails & Slugs Science Unit Study. The unit includes 4 hands-on lessons and a set of printable bonus activities! It's perfect for homeschool families and co-ops. Click here to learn more!



Are you looking for more unit studies or themed units for elementary and middle school kids? Be sure to click here and check out our growing collection!



Happy Educating!
Carla & the kids who don't sit still

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