In this episode, we consider a creature we often don’t think much about—the snail. And not just snails, but their sex lives. Which, as it turns out, is epic. There is persuasion and subterfuge, spaghetti penises and co-copulation. And this very surprising habit—erm kink—of making tiny arrows (actually!) and stabbing each other with them. Known as a “love dart,” these limestone daggers aren’t just a strange trick of nature—they have a deep evolutionary purpose.
Special thanks to Menno Schilthuizen and Aaron Chase.EPISODE CREDITS: Hosted by Molly Webster Reported by Molly Webster Produced by Mona Madgavkar, Annie McEwen and Molly Webster Sound design contributed by Mona Madgavkar and Annie McEwen Fact-checking by Diane A. Kelly and edited by Alex Neason
EPISODE CITATIONS:Videos - A love dart being DARTED! (https://zpr.io/rYhLwXhaxQQP) – Molly has watched this video so many times Articles -
Changes in the reproductive system of the snail Helix aspersa caused by mucus from the love dart. (https://zpr.io/xxjuCcTyiVJV) by Koene JM, Chase R. J Exp Biol.
The snail's love-dart delivers mucus to increase paternity. By Chase R, Blanchard KC. Proc Biol Sci.
A love-dart at the heart of sexual conflict in snails (https://zpr.io/X2ANHPaEg5sr) by Foote C ** This article has an image of eight different love darts, and it’s what Molly shows to Soren in the episode (this image is one of her favorite research finds!)
Books - “Nature’s Nether Regions: What the Sex Lives of Bugs, Birds, and Beasts Tell Us About Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ourselves” (https://zpr.io/ktMvJbZciCdD) by evolutionary biologist Menno Schilthuizen.
Signup for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!
Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.
Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing [email protected].
Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.LIST OF TITLE CANDIDATES (for funsies):Snail Sex Tape [this was our winner! It just happened to be listed first, but usually the first one does not win]Sex Shells [yes’um]Genitalia Marginalia [way to use the word “genitals”]Love in the time of sex darts [!]Escar-a-go-go [This is my new fave verb, “Let’s Escar-a-go-go!”]Coming out of my shellSculpted by SexHeated Gastropods [period.]Love changes everythingDart-crossed loversI would stab 3000 times (And I would stab 3000 more)The Pickup Dart-ist [Hands.Down.Brilliant]Sex and the Snail-y [I mean…!]Sex Lives of SnailsSnail Sex WorkDances with Snails [loz, wut.]Slime of LoveSexploits of the SnailRoses are red, violets are blue, snails stab each other with darts full of goo [This is more an episode “tease” than a title, but still fun!]Shot through the heartEscargotchaPenis Face [if you listen to the episode, you’ll get it]I Dart You []Snail Sex GameCupid’s Dart [lulu’s fave]