Male or female? this question doesn't have to be asked about snails, because they are hermaphrodites. This means that each animal produces both male and female reproductive organs. Snails hibernate in the winter, which means they go to sleep while the weather is very cold. Snails bury themselves and close up the entrance to their shell with a door of slime. In summer, when there isn't enough water, they take a dry sleep. However, this is only if they have taken in enough food and water. Since they have to absorb calcium to maintain their housing, they live in deciduous forests, gardens, shrubs and mountain slopes.