Understanding Snail Respiration A snail's breathing pore, also known as a pneumostome, is located at the opening of its shell, near the mantle cavity. This small opening plays a crucial role in the snail's respiration, allowing it to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. It is not as obvious as a nose on a mammal, but it’s equally essential for its survival. The Location and Function of the Breathing Pore Snails are nocturnal creatures, preferring dark and humid environments and being very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. When observing them, it might seem like their internal organs are well-hidden. Many people wonder, where exactly is a snail's breathing pore? All snails belong to the Pulmonata subclass which indicates that they possess a lung-like structure. This ‘lung’ is actually a highly vascularized cavity within the mantle, and this cavity is connected to the outside environment via the siphon. The muscles within the mantle use this siphon to draw...