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Story: Snails and slugs

Garden snails mating

Garden snails mating

Snails are hermaphrodites, with both male and female sexual organs in the same body. When common garden snails (Helix aspersa) mate, a penis is extruded from the side of each head as the snails join together.

About this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: M10006smp.tif
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

Paddy Ryan. 'Snails and slugs', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/snails-and-slugs/1/5