Welcome to Day 6 of my July Trivia posts.*
Trivia: A snail can sleep for three years.
This trivia is true, but the details are more interesting than just the fact. First of all, mattress websites really care how long snails sleep. Apparently, they are encouraging humans to sleep like a snail (and possibly cure insomnia.)
Today’s facts came from a vet; I guess people who have snails for pets care how long they sleep.
- Snails can hibernate or estivate for up to three or four years.
- Estivation means “to sleep during the summertime,” while hibernation is long-term sleep in the wintertime.
- Snails don’t sleep because they want to; they need moisture to survive, and if conditions become too dry, they go to sleep.
- To prevent themselves from drying out as they sleep, snails secrete mucus all over their bodies.
- So when you see an immobile gastropod in the wild, don’t assume it is dead, it just might be sleeping (and dreaming of mattresses.)
I give this trivia a 10 out of 10. Not only is it true, but I learned a new word (estivation.)
*I’m doing something hard (for me) in July that I don’t want to talk about until August (in case I fail.) This something takes a lot of time, so I’m simplifying my July posts. I’m using a list of trivia that Aunt Patti emailed me. Each day, I will explore a trivia fact and bring you the truth, not just the clickbait. I might even rate the trivia. I think this will be fun because I love exploring new topics and sharing them with you. I hope you learn something too. If you do, why not share it with a friend. One of my goals is to get more readers, and word of mouth is a great way to do that. Many thanks.