Untitled Document Mollusks Snails and clams belong to a large group of animals know as mollusks. Mollusks have soft bodies and most have shells. Some mollusks are called bivalves because they have two shells that are hinged together. Examples of bivalve mollusks are clams and oysters.
Snails have one shell and are knows as univalve mollusks.
Most mollusks can produce mucus. Mucus is a slippery liquid produced by the snail's body and used for a variety of purposes. For example, the snail uses mucus to cover the opening to its shell when it hibernates. The mucus provides a protection from the cold and helps the snail survive very cold weather. Some mollusks like mussels create a sticky, glue-like substance that allows them to attach themselves to objects such as rocks and ships.