Holiday Snails!

[wibblywobblytimeywimey]

Hullo!
Here's a question!

If you have snails, what do you do when you go on holiday?

I'm not going on holiday just now, but I go on holiday every year, and I fear for my snailly friends.

Shelldon

[tsrebel]

Most snails can do fine with a short period of dry conditions and little food. I use sunflower seeds and lichens as holiday food, because they don't spoil. I'm never away more than a week, though.

[wibblywobblytimeywimey]

Yes, but I am away for around 2 weeks sometimes, maybe even 3. I would need a long term sort of thingy.

[shaydeesnail]

Try growing some plants such as peppers or pea-plants in pots on your windowsill (You'll have to start long before you leave) when the plants are pretty big, like enough to provide a few weeks of food, simply plant them in the tank before you leave. Leave some additional food in there too, something that won't spoil.
Snails can actually go long periods without food, although it's still best to feed them as often as you can. A H. pomatia once escaped into my room and I lost him for 4 weeks, I was sure he'd have died and was waiting for the smell to hit me, then one day after I'd been away for a few days, I found him chilling on my pillow. He was absolutely fine after a little spray and I couldn't tell the difference after a day of eating. -So if they run out a week early, I wouldn't worry too much so long as you can feed them straight away.

You could also leave them with a -responsible- friend while you're away.

[wibblywobblytimeywimey]

That's the thing though. None of my friends would be keen on petsitting snails. Ever since I told them I was getting a H.aspersa, I was the freak of the pack. And I can't leave it with family members either. We all go together. And the plants idea is out of the question. I find them tricky to maintain.

[wibblywobblytimeywimey]

But would honey be a good form of food for them, as it doesn't spoil?

[shaydeesnail]

I've never had any luck getting them to eat it, unfortunately. I'm not sure what to suggest though

[morningcoffee]

Helix aspersa are only small - perhaps you could take them with you in a small-ish plastic carry tank like the sort that are used for bugs etc? I've taken my snails with me when I went to my family's house for Xmas in the past.

[tsrebel]

I think they'd be fine if they are adults. In my experience, babies and young snails don't tolerate dry conditions as well as adults, but aspersas are quite good at tolerating it.

[wibblywobblytimeywimey]

Thank you, I mighr use the carry case idea

[shaydeesnail]

That should be fine if you're not going abroad.

[starcrazy19]

I only have a couple snails so I can take em away with me in a small plastic tank - just pack them in with moss so they don't rattle around and make sure you bring spray bottle and cuttlefish and stuff. Frankly holidaying with my family the snails are the least trouble of anyone there. Don't know what I'd do if I had loads of snails though! Also some pet shops and vets will board exotics, done this with a tortoise before now - never tried it with snails though

[wibblywobblytimeywimey]

Oh frudge. The carry tank won't work. I ALWAYS go abroad if it is to be a holiday

[morningcoffee]

You should be fine leaving the snails with a couple of shallow water dishes and some long-lasting food like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and plants (try herbs in pots like basil, or living lettuce that you can get at most big supermarkets). Helix aspersa can fend for themselves in the wild perfectly well even through dry, hot or freezing weather, so as long as they're left with adequate supplies they should be fine.