Snails can sleep for up to 3 years during a drought
When conditions become too dry or cold, snails enter a state called estivation — a form of deep dormancy similar to hibernation. The snail seals itself inside its shell with a layer of dried mucus called an epiphragm, which hardens to prevent moisture loss. In this state, the snail's metabolism drops dramatically and it can survive without food or water for months or even years. A museum snail specimen presumed dead was accidentally rehydrated in 1850 after four years and crawled away.
We experience time as continuous and inescapable. The idea of an animal simply choosing to wait out years of unfavourable conditions — and resuming normal life afterwards — makes their relationship with time feel fundamentally alien.
“Snails can sleep for up to 3 years during a drought. A museum specimen presumed dead for 4 years was accidentally rehydrated in 1850 — and walked away. 🐌 #OddlyHuman”