Super Shy Snail?

[Deleted]

Lily is a really really shy snail. When I first got her, she never came out much and when I picked her up, she would retract fast and start bubbling so many bubbles. It's been months and she is still super shy. She doesn't bubble but she does retract fast. Is this normal? Will she ever get use to me?

[etana]

Yeah, that's one of the ways that snails are their own individual personalities. Some seem to enjoy being handled, some really do not.

That's good that she's not bubbling anymore. I can't say if she ever is fully comfortable to be handled, but she might become less stressed about it with time. I've been teaching my snails, big and small, that if I pick them up, the very next thing that happens is that they get something nice such as a piece of a favourite food on my hand. Kind of like how you'd train a puppy dog. I think it helps.

[Zorst]

Just give her time, she may always be a shy snail but the fact she doesn't bubble up says to me she's not as shy. Like Etana say's some just don't overly like being handled.

I also use that same trick Etana mine all associate being handled with there fav food so they are in the main pretty cool about it.

Some still swear at me n bubble up if they get surprised but I try not to surprise them n quite a few just hang out looking around until I put them on my arm or hand n then begin slimming again.

Zorst

[muddydragon]

as others have said different snails react differently it's perfectly normal . One thing that really works well along with every time they're picked up give them some food as already mentioned is to pick them up before you put fresh food in even if it's just as simple as lift up and put down. they soon learn lift up = new food about = should come out and explore.

[etana]

That's genius, Muddydragon, getting them used to just being touched and lifted up a little bit that way! That doesn't take much time either so you can do it often. Why didn't I think of that! Thanks!

[Cashell]

Not to sound discouraging, but some snails never "open up"... especially if they're wild caught, though this does vary from species to species. Despite this, it never hurts to try the advice offered.