Detecting exotic snails swimming like butterflies in the ocean

Snails living in the cold waters of the Arctic, but swimming smoothly with soft wings like butterflies.

Everyone knows that butterfly swimming is one of the hardest swimming skills, but a sea snail is a master in this area.

The Limacina helicinia snail is found while swimming through the flexible Arctic ice water like a butterfly on the ground. This snail, known as the "butterflies of the sea ", uses the wings of meat stretched out from its shell to fan it. However, their precise way of moving is still a mystery.

The meat-winged snail flies smoothly in the water.

Using high-speed cameras, the researchers discovered their secret swimming technique. That is the figure 8 movement similar to the butterfly on the ground.

Scientists from the Georgia Institute of Technology have built a special tank to return to this special species. David Murphy, the lead researcher shared with the Journal of Experimental Biology, "most zooplankton move with a sailing-like technique."

Close up of this special snail.

With the help of the modern tub and camera, the team discovered the secret of this snail's flexible technique. The group was surprised to find that the wing-beating motion of the shape of the sea snail was intended to create momentum in the water just like butterflies. The snail will smash its wings together before separating them to push itself forward, creating small whirlpools around it.

Video: Snails swim like butterflies in the ocean.

"No one has ever measured the flow of air created by this way of insects while flying, so this is a major finding in this area of ​​research," said David Murphy.