ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Freshwater snail

A freshwater snail is a type of creature that lives in water, like a fish or a frog. It has a hard, spiral shell on its back that helps protect its soft body inside. The shell is kind of like a little house that the snail carries around with it wherever it goes.

Freshwater snails are different from other types of snails because they live in rivers, lakes, and ponds instead of on land or in saltwater. They like to crawl around on surfaces like rocks or plants, using their slimy foot to move around.

One of the things that makes freshwater snails really interesting is that they can breathe in a few different ways. Some species of snails have gills, like fish, while others have lungs, like people. Some can even breathe through their skin!

Freshwater snails also play an important role in their ecosystems. They eat things like algae and other tiny organisms that live in the water, helping to keep the water clean and healthy. And they provide food for other animals, like fish and birds.

Even though they might not seem like the most exciting creatures in the world, freshwater snails are an important part of the natural world and help keep our waterways healthy and thriving.
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