Cracking on shell

[bdpanthera]

Hi. I got my first snail, an Immaculata Panthera, about a month ago. I have noticed a lot of cracks in his shell and it looks very dry. The temp is 26 and humidity 85% in his tub. He is eating well, a variety of fruit and veg, cuttlefish bone and calcium dusting on his food. He has fish flakes twice a week, Is pooping and seems happy. Does anybody have any idea what is wrong?

TIA

[bdpanthera]

I can't upload a photo. Please see below link:


imgur.com/Yi1ROY2

[pearthesnail]

Hello

If your snail had a cuttlebone in the tank its best not to add extra calcium in their food as it can be an overdose of calcium and lead to calcium stones- a cuttlefish bone in the tank is all you need for calcium and they will use it when they need to

From the photo those cracks seem cosmetic and like uneven growth or the snail has fallen in the past. What I've found is best for treating a dry or flaky shell is by rubbing natural cold pressed coconut oil or natural olive oil into the shell after the snail has been washed (you can get them from most health food stores such as Holland and Barratt if you are in the UK)

[bdpanthera]

Thanks for your reply. I will try the coconut oil. If you don't mind me asking, what is the best way to clean him?

[pearthesnail]

I put them on my hand under gentle running lukewarm water (snail skin is much more sensitive than ours and can swell up/bubble if the water is too hot) and let the water drain through my fingers (don't submerge the snail since they breath from underneath their shell and not their mouth). I'll let the water run onto the snail's body- snail skin keeps itself clean so it doesn't need much attention.


Don't use soap or any other chemicals to wash snails I use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently scrub their shell- be extra careful around the front of the shell where all the soft new growth is. I then pat the shell dry with kitchen roll and put the oil on - that's how I do it anyways