To hibernate or not to hibernate... (Cepaea)

[tsrebel]

Its getting colder here in Norway and soon time to decide if my Cepaeas should hibernate through the winter or not. Its a long winter here. Wild Cepaeas go to sleep in a few weeks and won't wake up until april/may.
How do other Cepaea owners do it? Do you release, keep them awake or hibernate them? And if you do hibernate them; how do you do it?

[Evil Angel]

I'd probably say give them a small heat mat on the tank just to stop them from freezing, giving them plenty of soil to borrow into, then leaving them to it, if they so sleep then obviusly still spray the tank, and put bits of food in every few days in case they wake up.
Thats what I'd do anyway

[graemepryce]

I have kept them over the British winter when they usually completely disappear here. I thought they might bury and aestivate for a long time but they didn't. They seemed barely affected in my central heated house and the few that live in my heated GALS tank don't seem to notice that it is winter.

If they are indoors and you are experienced enough to know signs of distress or illness then I'd just leave it up to them and not disturb any that bury themselves or seal up but continue to offer food and moisture to the ones that just aren't sleepy enough!

In my experience they just make the best of the summer time and hide out the winter months because it is too difficult for them to live through it otherwise. There isn't any inherent need to hibernate as such with seasons for snails, especially those kept in captivity.

Hope that helps!

[shaydeesnail]

I tend to leave them as they are, some will hibernate while some don't. I think the ones that do hibernate do so out of habit when the temperature gets a little lower, rather than because they are too cold.