Many animals build their homes. Some build a nest, others dig a cave. Snails, on the other hand, always have their house with them.
They can't leave it because the house and body are firmly connected by muscles. Snails are awake at night. If it rains, they are also awake during the day. If the ground is really wet, then snails can crawl more easily. When the sun is shining, snails prefer to stay in their house.
Sun, snails do not like at all. Because the sun makes their body dry. Their house also protects the snail from enemies. If danger threatens, the snail disappears into it, and waits until the air is clear again. If you find an empty house, the snail was probably eaten. Hedgehogs, frogs, mice and some birds like to eat the slimy snail meat. In winter, many snails barricade their front door. They close their house with a lid, which they simply open again in spring. The snail can easily repair small holes. However, a snail cannot build a completely new house. Some snail species do not need their own house, such as slugs. They hide between stones and crawl through leaves and moss. A house would only disturb them. Because it would get stuck everywhere.
In a nutshell: The snail's sensitive body is protected by its house. It retreats into it when it gets too hot or dangerous.