Long white curly thread - Is it unretracted penis???

[violet]

I have some garden snails in a tank (they had been stepped on and had quite broken shells). Today one of them has a long white curly thread coming out of the side of its neck. What is it and what should I do?
The snail was near this slimey pointed thing.

[Cashell]

When I first saw it, I was going to assume that it was a nematode or worm, so I was about to ask if it wiggles, but then I scrolled down and saw you mention a love dart, so maybe it might be sperm? Then again, that would probably come from the snail's forehead or cheek, so I'm not 100% certain about what it is, but I hope this gives you an idea.

Possibilities: Worm, sperm or poo? Hopefully others viewing this thread will chime in and narrow it down.

[violet]

I think I'd say it more like it's coming from its cheek I guess? (I'm new to the world of snails so am seeking some advice from anyone able to give it.)

Since I posted the picture I think the 'curly thread' has gotten shorter...


I've put the snails in a glass tank with some lettuce, cucumber and cuttlebone and have misted the glass with bottled water from a pump spray bottle. Any further advice on what I should be doing to help these little critters would be appreciated!

[wolf]

Hi violet,
the "long white curly thing" is the spermatophore (which can be very long in some species, f.e. in Cornu aspersum). So don't worry....... . Just wait, don't pull........ .
Kind regards: wolf

[violet]

Thank-you for your informative response. Unfortunately when I first saw it I did handle it, as it looked like entangled cotton, that's when I traced it back to the snails neck and then stoped and realised it was seemingly part of the snail. That's when I posted the pics and asked for advice. So It may be too late as I may have already damaged it. If my ignorance has damaged the 'spermatophore' what's the snails chance of survival or recovery?

[wolf]

Hi violet,
to damage the spermatophore is no problem at all, it's only a "sperm container" (but you shouldn't pull because you might hurt inner organs). Obviously your snail failed in releasing the spermatophore (something like that was observed several times before).
So there's a pretty good choice that the snail will survive without any problems (if there aren't any injuries inside the body). I suppose the spermatophore will get lost soon. Don't handle your snail more than necessary, he will help himself.
Keep cool, anything will be fine, I think........
Kind regards: wolf

[Cashell]

Good stuff to know!

[HazelSnail]

That's actually very interesting!

[violet]

The snail has retired to a corner of the tank and has been inside their shell for just over a day now - hopefully just recuperating! I'm just going to watch and wait and see...

[violet]

Snail is now up and about - No spermatophore to be seen!

Hopefully the cuttlebone will be helping the shell to re-grow soon!

[wolf]

Hi violet,

great, anything should be all right now . Obviously he/she has managed to get rid of the spermatophore.

Kind regards: wolf

[violet]

Caught this one mating with my biggest snail again. Spermatophore was left hanging again, but didn't worry this time! It disappeared in a couple of days.

[minineko]

I've seen those things before and didn't know what they were. Thanks for the explanation!
They were always fine after, so it's nothing to worry about.