May 24th, 2022

Snail Tattoos

Is there any creature more unfairly besmirched than the noble snail?

Snails are among the most fascination animals on earth, yet the only time anyone ever brings them up in conversation it is in the form of ridicule.

“You’re as slow as a snail.”

“Snails are gross and slimy.”

One of the greatest bits on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” involves a character named Gail the Snail as the gang throws salt upon her. Gail is terrible, granted, but you don’t need to bring snails into it, guys.

Admittedly, I may be a little biased as I have a snail tattoo of my own (I named him Snathan), but I have always found the creatures to be fascinating. Growing up in California, it didn’t rain often, but whenever it did the sidewalk would be covered with snails shortly thereafter. I would go out and stare at them for hours as they worked their way across the yard. And yes, they were slow, but they were fascinating.

I found two things about the gastropods completely entrancing—their eyes and the beautiful shells they call home. Both of these traits were things a longed for as a child. Having eyes on top of long eyestalks would be ideal for seeing around corners, peeking over fences and getting into all sorts of general mischief. As a frequent target for bullies, the shell would allow me to crawl into a safe space at a moment’s notice.

Of course, you don’t need to have the fanciful imagination of a lonely only child to appreciate snails, the simple science is enough. We’ve already discussed how rad having eyestalks would be, but it turns out that snails can “see” with their entire bodies! Their entire bodies are covered with light sensing cells, so they’re able to perceive shadows even if their eyes are looking the other way. This is the kind of thing that comes in very useful when a troublemaking child is approaching with a shaker of salt.

But when it comes to snail tattoos, artists tend to focus less on the amazing feats these creatures are capable of and more on the shell. As you’ll see in the gallery below, a lot of artistic liberties are taken with the shell of these snails. Sometimes they grow mushrooms off of their shell, which is pretty dope, and other times the shell becomes a skull, which is badass as all get out.

The point is that snails are cool and they should be treated as such. Do you have a snail tattoo of your own? Share it with us on social media!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by S H A E M O T Z (@shaemotztattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ; 주아 (@jooa_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jon Leighton (@jonleightontattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by S A M (@mas_tattoos_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by . 챠준 (@chaa_jun)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by modul.schwarz (@modul.schwarz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jenn Golgan (@saltyflamingotattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Georgie (@inkoutsidethefox)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Great White Snail (@graham.s.white)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Katherine (@katherinejarretattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cat Wong (@catwongtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattooer▪️ (@tonycaiafa_7)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Austin Anderson (@faamo_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kawarin (@_kawarin_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Makenna Matte (@maken.ink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by NICOLE (@butter_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Etoile McPherson (@ethos_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kazorp Tattoo (@kazorp_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@razvik__)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @polandtattoos

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Claudia Marzano (@claudia___mars)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Max LaCroix (@maxwelllacroix)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by .ℜ (@sennie.ruzovy)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @tattoocute

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Inspired by animals (@tatt2o_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matt Trusz (@matttrusz.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Southern (@devincoley)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jason Marcus (@jasonmarcustattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liv O’Callaghan (@livocallaghan)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matty G (@_mattygee)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Edgar Rodriguez (@edgar.tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jaye Shepherd (@jayeshepherdtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Annie Burkhard (@manna_bananna)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jessi Preston (@jessiprestontattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Emma Arietti (@arietti.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DŻUDI BAZGROLE (@bazgrole)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by lily elba (@elbainks)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alexine Tattoo (@alexinetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wendy/Wen Pham (@wendyphamtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ella Rose (@ellarose_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Caitlin Stairs (@caitlinstairstattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FAUNE (@faune_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by A TATTOO PLACE (@a_tattoo_place)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by dusty (@dustytattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @okamejasmin

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tiago Borges (@tiagoborgestattoos)

Editor's Picks

Events
Met Gala 2025: The Best Tattooed Celebrity Looks

At the 2025 Met Gala, inked celebrities like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton proved tattoos are the ultimate high-fashion accessory.

Culture
May the 4th Ink Be With You: Best Star Wars Tattoos for Superfans

Celebrate Star Wars Day with tattoos that showcase the Force—from Darth Vader portraits to minimalist Baby Yoda ink. May the ink be with you!

Events
Diplo, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and More: Highlights from Stagecoach 2025

Stagecoach 2025 delivered epic performances, unforgettable moments, and nonstop energy under the desert skies of Indio, California.

InkedMagCover