They always love the lettuce

[foghog]

I think we all pretty much know this, but after the other day me putting a lettuce plant in with my swirly shells, and seeing that 4 of them literally flew onto the lettuce plant )A small romaine lettuce plant.) and lately watching the fact that out of this huge habitat I have for them, there are probably 30 of them on the lettuce plant itself at all times, it is becoming my theory that it isn;t honestly just for food purposes. I think they like going on it, also to help cool themselves and because it feels better on their bodies perhaps. has anyone else come to this type of a conclusion?

[Amy]

When i used to give mine curly kale which is very similar to lettuce, i found that especially the babies used to sleep underneath it and just really crawl round all over it =]

[foghog]

ya, If I grew kale in my garden I'd give that to them also. these are lots of babies I am talking about actually, so that fits.

[ness]

Yes, same experience but can't tell you why. I have guesses though...
One - like you say it's comfortable for them.
Two - it's a good place to hide (underneath).
Three - It is sensible to stay close to the food supply if it is safe to do so - movement and slime production takes alot of energy so it makes sense not to waste energy by moving away from the food unless it makes them vulnerable to predators by staying.

[foghog]

I'll have to discount the closer to food thought, because they actually leave the lettuce and go eat the zucchini slices, then come back to the lettuce. I am starting to lean to they are younger snails, so maybe it helps them stay hydrated, and like you said it does take a bit out of them creating slime. and they probably use a lot less on a smooth cool surface like lettuce provides. they are eating the lettuce, but not as much or really more so than the zucchini which they travel to and then back from. one thing I found out they like a lot though is corn flour I might add. I imagine they'd like corn meal as well, but haven;t tried it yet.