Snail slime

Land snails and slugs both produce mucus, as does every other kind of gastropod, from marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats.

Chemically, the mucus produced by land-living gastropodes belongs to the class of glycosaminoglycans (previously called mucopolysaccharides).

Mucus is a gel consisting of a polymer network that functions as a protective layer for the integument and mucosal surfaces of both elementary animals and mammals.

[5] The foot of gastropods is covered with a thin layer of this mucus, which is used for a variety of functions, including locomotion, adherence, lubrication, repulsing predators, recognizing other snails, following a trail to a known destination and during reproduction.

[7] The waves created help propel the snail forward whilst pushing the thin layer of mucus used as lubrication, behind them.

In an Experimental Biology article, research has been presented showing that each wave is indeed creating a propulsive force using the mucus to reduce resistance.

[10] In their unique mating ritual, Limax maximus use a mucus thread to suspend themselves from elevated locations like tree branches.

When the stimulation is normal, the slime is viscous (sticky) but if the snail is disturbed continuously or even violently, it releases clear foamy secretions.