IF you took a quick glance at this snail, you’d swear he was just like any other.
In fact, even if you stare at this creature you likely won’t spot his rare anatomical problem.
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However, this issue is said to be “ruining his love life” and condemning him to a “chaste and sterile” existence, according to scientists.
Officially dubbed Ned the snail, this little guy looks like a stereotypical snail, complete with two antennae and a brown shell.
But there is a prominent problem with his appearance, though most people won’t spot it.
Peel your eyes and examine this “shellebrity” closely – can you spot his off feature?
This common garden snail was discovered by New Zealand nature lover and author Giselle Clarkson.
Something off
She noticed that “something looked off” and said she even wondered if Ned was a different species.
So, have you spotted what it is that makes Ned so special?
If you’re still scratching your head, we recommend paying particular attention to his shell.
While Ned’s rare condition may not register to you, experts have launched an international campaign to find him an equally-rare mate.
You may even be able to help – but first, why not give it one last go to spot the odd feature?
Anyone who has ever seen a snail knows that it has a “whorl” – a pattern of spirals or concentric circles – on the side of its shell.
However, nature lovers know that this feature can only be found on one side, usually the right.
Well you guessed it, Ned’s coils are on the wrong side of his shell.
While a large majority of snails have the spiral on the right side, around one in 40,000 have the spiral on the left side.
Snails are asymmetrical, meaning they fit together like a jigsaw during “face-to-face” mating.
How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me?
Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions.
Some benefits include:
- Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility.
- Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function.
- Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes.
- Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus.
- Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief.
International attention
This means a typical right-coiled snail and left-coiled snail such as Ned, who is named after famous leftie Ned Flanders from The Simpsons, won’t quite fit together properly when facing.
Now New Zealand Geographic has launched the “Let’s find a mate for Ned” campaign.
The campaign is telling gardeners to “head out into the garden and have a rummage” for another left-coiled common garden snail.
If anyone finds a left-coiled one, they’re urged to contact [email protected].
More brainteasers
Another tricky brainteaser features a gnarled tree but only those with high IQ can spot a sleepy cat hiding on it.
If that’s still not hard enough for you, then have a go at spotting the hidden broom amongst the clothes in less than five seconds.
Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band’s cover art that has confused fans for years.
Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to find the lost feather in just 12 seconds.
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