<P> There have been hybridizations of snail species; although these do not occur commonly in the wild, in captivity they can be coaxed into doing so . </P> <P> Parthenogenesis has been reported only in one species of slug, but many species can self - fertilise . </P> <P> Most species of land snail are annual, others are known to live 2 or 3 years, but some of the larger species may live over 10 years in the wild . For instance, 10 - year old individuals of the Roman snail Helix pomatia are probably not uncommon in natural populations . Populations of some threatened species may be dependent on a pool of such long - lived adults . In captivity, the lifespan of snails can be much longer than in the wild, for instance up to 25 years in H. pomatia . </P> <P> In the wild, snails eat a variety of different foods . Terrestrial snails are usually herbivorous, however some species are predatory carnivores or omnivores, including the genus Powelliphanta, which includes the largest carnivorous snails in the world, native to New Zealand . The diet of most land snails can include leaves, stems, soft bark, fruit, vegetables, fungi and algae . Some species can cause damage to agricultural crops and garden plants, and are therefore often regarded as pests . </P>

How long does a common garden snail live
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