Tiny snails survive digestion by birds

[Judi Lynn]

11 July 2011 Last updated at 04:25
Tiny snails survive digestion by birds
By Ella Davies
Reporter, BBC Nature

Snails are able to survive intact after being eaten by birds, according to scientists.

Japanese white-eyes on the island of Hahajima, Japan feast on tiny land snails.

Researchers found that 15% of the snails eaten survived digestion and were found alive in the birds' droppings.

This evidence suggests that bird predation could be a key factor in how snail populations spread.

More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14048754

[xchrom]

1. Icky but interesting. Nt

[jdadd]

2. Reminds me of an old joke.....

Birds flying along, the snail pokes his head out and asks the bird, "how high are we" the bird replies, "about 500 feet" the snail responds, "you wouldn't shit me now, would ya".....