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Show notes
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 - [https://www.facebook.com/WilSnail/videos/love-dart-being-placed/1017353415760769/"]( A love dart being DARTED! ([https://zpr.io/rYhLwXhaxQQP"]( [https://zpr.io/rYhLwXhaxQQP](https://zpr.io/rYhLwXhaxQQP %29)) – Molly has watched this video so many times Articles - - [http://www.jkoene.dds.nl/publications/Koene\_&\_Chase\_1998b.pdf"]( _Changes in the reproductive system of the snail Helix aspersa caused by mucus from the love dart._ ([https://zpr.io/xxjuCcTyiVJV"]( [https://zpr.io/xxjuCcTyiVJV](https://zpr.io/xxjuCcTyiVJV %29)) by Koene JM, Chase R. J Exp Biol. - [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1560308/"]( _The snail's love-dart delivers mucus to increase paternity._By Chase R, Blanchard KC. Proc Biol Sci. - [https://blogs.biomedcentral.com/bmcseriesblog/2016/05/13/love-dart-heart-sexual-conflict-snails/"]( _A love-dart at the heart of sexual conflict in snails_ ([https://zpr.io/X2ANHPaEg5sr"]( [https://zpr.io/X2ANHPaEg5sr](https://zpr.io/X2ANHPaEg5sr %29)) 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 - “[https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313172/natures-nether-regions-by-menno-schilthuizen/"]( Nature’s Nether Regions: What the Sex Lives of Bugs, Birds, and Beasts Tell Us About Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ourselves” ([https://zpr.io/ktMvJbZciCdD"]( [https://zpr.io/ktMvJbZciCdD](https://zpr.io/ktMvJbZciCdD %29)) by evolutionary biologist Menno Schilthuizen. _Signup for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show._ [https://radiolab.org/newsletter"]( _Sign up_ ([https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!](https://radiolab.org/newsletter%29! ) _Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of_ [http://members.radiolab.org"]( _The Lab_ _( today._ _Follow our show on_ [http://instagram.com/radiolab"]( _Instagram_ _,_ [http://twitter.com/radiolab"]( _Twitter_ _and_ [http://facebook.com/radiolab"]( _Facebook_ _@radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing_ [_radiolab@wnyc.org_](mailto:radiolab@wnyc.org)_._ _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._