mystery apple snail mouth bizzare alien looking action

[m1ste2tea]

the mouth action is weird already, then approx 1:20 into the video the snail shoots out a hidden appendage to the surface of the water. does anyone have an idea what this is?

watch the videos on youtube, fullscreen, 1080p HD resolution

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here is another video of the snail grazing

[YT]<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ed8vjtA49Z0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ed8vjtA49Z0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/YT]

 

[gomezladdams]

Thats its "siphon" it uses it to breathe air like a human would use a snorkel while diving.
http://www.applesnail.net/content/anatomy/respiration.php

 

[m1ste2tea]

good to know. first time I have noticed it. they seem to usually be grazing on the bottom of the tank, must be able to hold their breath for quite a while.