Snail Reproduction
Most types of snails are hermaphrodites, meaning that they can be both male and female, allowing for more reproduction, resulting in more snails. Interestingly, usually snails switch off male and female roles from mating to mating. Each cowrie snail has sperm and egg cells. They cannot reproduce by themselves because they can only produce one gamete at a time. [1] When marine snails mate, both snails inseminate each other through internal fertilization. That means that both snails' eggs are fertilized, so they both lay eggs. [2]
Development
They then both lay eggs and bury them so they aren't hurt. Snail eggs hatch within two to four weeks. They are immediately in survival mode when they hatch. Their shells are soft and weak, so they search for calcium immediately. For calcium, they eat their own egg and other eggs. They then stay in a nest until they are adults, which takes about three months. [3]
They then both lay eggs and bury them so they aren't hurt. Snail eggs hatch within two to four weeks. They are immediately in survival mode when they hatch. Their shells are soft and weak, so they search for calcium immediately. For calcium, they eat their own egg and other eggs. They then stay in a nest until they are adults, which takes about three months. [3]