'Left-handed' coiling snails survive more snake attacks
Snails with shells that coil anti-clockwise are less likely to fall prey to snakes than their clockwise-coiling cousins, scientists have discovered. The arrangement of the snakes' teeth makes it difficult for the reptiles to grasp these "left-handed" snails. The effect of this advantage on the survival of Satsuma snails is so great, say the researchers, that they could separate into a distinct species.
2010-12-08
snail evolution snake coil direction left-handed protection
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