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Post by explodingwaffle on May 22, 2015 10:51:26 GMT
Hey guys, So almost 2 months ago, I found a slug in my flatmates cauliflower. I was going to take him to a park in the morning to let him go but then I got affectionate and since then I've been looking after him. He's a tiny little Ambigolimax valentianus/Lehmannia valentiana and from what I can see he seems to be pretty happy and likes to crawl on my hand every now and then. Unfortunately, I'm moving to another country, and will be travelling for the next few months, so i'm unable to keep him anymore (and I always intended to keep him temporarily, as I worry he prefers it more in the wild anyway). So I wanted to ask you snail and slug experts if you could recommended the sort of environment I should leave him in to ensure that he is safe, and has adequate food. I have been checking out some parks here in Milan, and so far my favourite seems to be a little botanical garden behind a museum which has lots of rows of bushes and beautiful flower, and there are some very leafy areas where he could hide in, but would they probably use pesticides and slug repellents which would just end up killing him? What would be better? I don't have a garden to leave him in either. Thanks guys!
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Post by sparrow on May 22, 2015 15:37:26 GMT
Sorry you have to part with Gary, but glad you have the experience of caring for one of these little fellows! They are amazing little creatures. Do you have an area nearby that is wild and not disturbed by humans and their pesticides? Not sure, but I would assume any "groomed" areas, such as the botanical garden, may, as you wrote, not care for snails or slugs and use devices not safe for Gary. Could even be something as simple as copper wire, but not gastropod friendly. I would think any shady area with low leafy growth (think dandelion) would be okay. In many cases, when searching for "preferred habitats" of gastropods, you have to do a negative search on ridding what others consider "pests". In this link, in between ways to control, you have indications of "preferred habitats": ipm.illinois.edu/hyg/insects/slugs/A hug for you and Gary!
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Post by explodingwaffle on May 24, 2015 12:47:02 GMT
Yes, it has been a wonderful experience, and if another gastropod comes my way again i'll be more than happy to care for him!
I don't really know where I could find somewhere like that, especially since I live in a city, I guess i'll have to ask around and try to find somewhere ASAP! There are some larger parks where some areas are a little more untended or worked on (especially in contrary to the botanical garden) would that be OK as well? Thanks for the link and info, it was really helpful!
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Zorst
Achatina tincta
Posts: 734
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Post by Zorst on May 24, 2015 18:40:40 GMT
Good luck with finding Gary a new home.
Zorst
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Post by sparrow on May 25, 2015 14:07:39 GMT
Yes, it has been a wonderful experience, and if another gastropod comes my way again i'll be more than happy to care for him! I don't really know where I could find somewhere like that, especially since I live in a city, I guess i'll have to ask around and try to find somewhere ASAP! There are some larger parks where some areas are a little more untended or worked on (especially in contrary to the botanical garden) would that be OK as well? Thanks for the link and info, it was really helpful! Yes, an unattended area sounds like Gary's best chance. Was just thinking, if there is a bushy area where you can reach in and place him inside the bushy area, that would give him a good shot. I would put Gary in a small plastic container with a bit of food and place him within the bushes while he is in the container, lid off, of course! That would be easier than trying to get him to leave your hand voluntarily and he would have a bit of food for his new adventure!
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Post by explodingwaffle on May 25, 2015 15:07:30 GMT
Yes, it has been a wonderful experience, and if another gastropod comes my way again i'll be more than happy to care for him! I don't really know where I could find somewhere like that, especially since I live in a city, I guess i'll have to ask around and try to find somewhere ASAP! There are some larger parks where some areas are a little more untended or worked on (especially in contrary to the botanical garden) would that be OK as well? Thanks for the link and info, it was really helpful! Yes, an unattended area sounds like Gary's best chance. Was just thinking, if there is a bushy area where you can reach in and place him inside the bushy area, that would give him a good shot. I would put Gary in a small plastic container with a bit of food and place him within the bushes while he is in the container, lid off, of course! That would be easier than trying to get him to leave your hand voluntarily and he would have a bit of food for his new adventure! That's a great idea, I still need to try and find this bushy area, and i've only got a few days left! (Otherwise I might take him to the seaside coast city where my family lives and try and find somewhere there which might be easier). I'm so sad about having to let him go, though who knows maybe he'll prefer the freedom more than being stuck with me Though I do have a friend who did express an interest in keeping him and she seems to really like him... Gotta make a decision soon! Thank you for your advice and help!
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Zorst
Achatina tincta
Posts: 734
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Post by Zorst on May 25, 2015 20:51:48 GMT
If your returning in a few months after traveling what about asking your friend if they could keep him for you for that time and you take him back on your return?
Zorst
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Post by explodingwaffle on May 26, 2015 21:15:19 GMT
If your returning in a few months after traveling what about asking your friend if they could keep him for you for that time and you take him back on your return? Zorst Sadly i'm not returning. I'm visiting family for a week, then going back to London, then travelling on and off, then going to Asia to see family for a few months, travelling even more before going back to London, so that's why there's pretty much no way I can look after him sadly I would if I could, though I also doubt he'd enjoy or the travelling >.< plus I wonder what the slug laws are! ahahahah!
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