Latin "molluscus" (soft)

Molluscs are diverse group of animals that include snails, slugs, mussels, clams, oysters, nudibranches, squids, octopi, and more. There are close to 100,000 species of molluscs living in many different habitats, including oceans, fresh water, forests, soil, and deserts.

Black Westernslug © 2000 William Leonard

Robust Lancetooth © 2000 William Leonard

Gould Bean Clam © 2004 Shane Anderson

 

Quick ID includes snails (hard outer shell, soft body, muscular foot) includes slugs (unsegmented, soft body)

More information about Molluscs Tree of Life Mollusca page Man and Mollusc -- resources for kids and teachers