Structural adaptation for reducing water‐loss in three species of terrestrial snail

Laboratory measurements indicate that observed differences in the rate of water‐loss from inactive Helix aspersa, Otala lactea and Sphincterochila boissieri are due to morphological adaptations such as a thicker shell, reduced aperture and thicker epiphragm. These modifications enable terrestrial snails to inhabit dryer environments by increasing the length of time the snail can remain inactive.