A Snail’s Odyssey is an educational resource created by Thomas Carefoot, presenting the biology and ecology of shallow-water marine invertebrates along the west coast of North America. Using a snail’s journey home as a narrative guide, the site introduces 36 major invertebrate groups through short animations and detailed scientific accounts. Its research studies summarize around 7,000 scientific papers and are supported by approximately 5,300 photographs, graphs, and other illustrations, as well as 220 video clips.

The material covers intertidal, subtidal, and some supratidal species, with geographic coverage primarily extending from Alaska to Baja California. Designed as a gateway to scientific literature, the Odyssey helps university field-trip students and graduate students develop research ideas, while enabling students and faculty to locate relevant studies, including older publications. Visitors can explore through topic menus, animations, or an illustrated map.

The site is an ongoing project, with research papers added over time, and shares the creator’s images for educational and research use subject to stated permissions