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Did you know: There’s a species of snail that can survive being digested by birds?

It gets eaten, passes through the bird, and comes out alive and slimy on the other side... now that's hardcore.

there is a species of tiny land snail called Tornatellides boeningi that can survive being ingested and excreted by certain bird species. Specifically, Japanese white-eyes and brown-eared bulbuls, two types of omnivorous birds, have been observed to pass these snails through their digestive systems alive. A study found that about 15% of these snails can survive this process.
Here's why this happens:
Size:
Tornatellides boeningi snails are very small, making it easier for birds to swallow them whole.
Short digestive time:
Songbirds, in particular, tend to digest food relatively quickly, meaning the snails spend a short time in the bird's gut.
Shell protection:
The snail's compact shell helps protect it from the harsh digestive environment.
Potential for reproduction:
Remarkably, one snail in the study even gave birth to juveniles after being excreted by a bird.
This survival allows for the snails to be dispersed over larger areas than they could otherwise reach, potentially impacting their population genetics.

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OlderSometimesWiser · F Best Comment
It gets eaten, passes through the bird, and comes out alive and slimy on the other side.

Sounds like how we get some of our SW members. 🤔
@OlderSometimesWiser 😂 you ain't wrong
@Bexsy Thanks for BC! 😂

No I did not know this. Cool
Degbeme · 70-79, M
Sounds like us when we eat corn. 😬
goliathtree · 56-60, M
@Degbeme Grandpa always called it "stool brightener"
Elessar · 31-35, M
Plenty of worms to that all the time

Look for the hairworm that infects mantises

* Actually don't 🙈
@Elessar I'm afraid to 😬
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
Have you heard of the coffee bean that gets infested by some animal then when retrieved is used to make coffee?
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samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
@Bexsy they say it is an amazing coffee!

i prefer mine espresso:

the coffee article

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/world/europe/espresso-italy-coffee-prices.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WE8.bo1s.OTyhvzmP1NQn&smid=url-share

you will need to cut and paste.
Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F
That's wild
Livingwell · 61-69, M
Damn! Now THAT'S something to tell your grandkids. "One day I was swallowed by a bird..."
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Degbeme · 70-79, M
@JaxSunn Think of it this way. You`re not travelling through a birds anus only to end up on a shiny clean car.
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