Snail Sex Tape

from Radiolab · host WNYC Studios

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, Molly Webster Sound design contributed by - Mona Madgavkar, 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.

NOW PLAYING

Snail Sex Tape

0:00 29:53

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Introducing "Paper Trail": A new show from ProPublica about investigative journalism

May 18, 2026 ·4m

The Wicked Smoocha: Anglerfish Break A World Record

May 7, 2026 ·34m

The Forest Fairy: Aphids Reveal Hidden Harmonies

Apr 23, 2026 ·31m

The Greeting: Yo-Yo Ma's Humpback Whale Experiment

Apr 9, 2026 ·39m

The Red-Eyed Mascot: Loon Resilience in Minnesota

Mar 26, 2026 ·30m

The Snowball: Extreme Squirrels in the Arctic (Replay)

Mar 12, 2026 ·25m

Similar Podcasts

Trump, Inc. WNYC Studios He’s the President, yet we’re still trying to answer basic questions about how his business works: What deals are happening, who they’re happening with, and if the President and his family are keeping their promise to separate the Trump Organization from the Trump White House. “Trump, Inc.” is a joint reporting project from WNYC Studios and ProPublica that digs deep into these questions. We’ll be layout out what we know, what we don’t and how you can help us fill in the gaps. WNYC Studios is a listener-supported producer of other leading podcasts, including On the Media, Radiolab, Death, Sex & Money, Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin, Nancy and many others. ProPublica is a non-profit investigative newsroom.© WNYC Studios Pickle WNYC Studios Is it ever okay to tell a lie? What makes a real friend? And here’s a question: How much is a person’s life worth? Yikes, that’s a tough one! Join the cast of Pickle as we explore life’s stickiest wickets, with the help of curious kids – and the occasional elephant. It’s philosophy, made fun. WNYC Studios is a listener-supported producer of podcasts including Radiolab, Snap Judgment, On the Media, Death, Sex & Money and many others.© WNYC Studios Hunt Gather Talk with Hank Shaw Hank Shaw Wild foods expert and cookbook author Hank Shaw's audio adventures in foraging, fishing, hunting and cooking. You'll hears stories from the field, tips and tricks for working with wild foods, interviews with experts in fishing, foraging, cooking and hunting, as well as occasional "RadioLab" style audio stories. The Filter Podcast with Matt Asher The Filter The Filter is about how we perceive the world, the lenses through which we view our reality.The Filter is like: - Black Mirror but not fiction. - A darker version of Making Sense with Sam Harris - Radiolab minus the cool music and with 50% less storytelling - The Joe Rogan Experience minus stand-up comedians minus MMA minus about 12hrs per week of content - The Portal with Eric Weinstein but with Matt Asher - The Tom Woods Show but with 1600 fewer episodes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Radiolab?

This episode is 29 minutes long.

When was this Radiolab episode published?

This episode was published on March 6, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Radiolab episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!