Listen to the sound of a snail eating and watch film footage of a snail gliding over moss. This book trailer is a glimpse into Elisabeth Tova Bailey's natural history/memoir The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating.

When a virulent flu changes Bailey's life, she is confined to bed. Then a forest snail takes up residence on her nightstand. Intrigued, Bailey observes its midnight wanderings and strange anatomy, and learns of its complex courtship. This is the unusual story of her gastropod companion.

Author's website: elisabethtovabailey.net

A special thanks to Tim A. Pearce, Asst. Curator & Head, Section of Mollusks, Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Ken Hotopp at Appalachian Conservation Biology,

The sound recording of a snail eating © Lang Elliott and Marla Coppolino