Cracked shell - just checking

[Colin]

I've not been doing this for long so I'm just checking I'm doing the right thing really.

I found a Cepaea hortensis in the garden last night . Its shell was cracked in a few places but intact for all that (no internals showing) and it seems OK as it got quite active when I sprayed it. It does spend a bit of time ?doing stuff? to the shell but I cant see whether it's scraping or moving it or what. #

I'd estimate the shell is about 8 or 9mm across the opening if that's a). the right place to measure and b). gives a clue to how old it is.

I've put it in a place of it's own with food and 'cuttlefish' bone and sprayed it a little and often last night - unfortunately it will have to wait until I get home from work for any more but the enclosure was pretty damp this morning when I left.

It isn't spending a great deal of time on the cuttlefish out of choice so should I move it there occasionally?

Is there anything else I should be doing?

Thanks.

[moonboots]

if it don't seem to be eatin cuttlefish you can kinda crunch it up and sprinkle it on the food. that what i do with my ill snailies. hope it helps!!

[Deleted]

if the shell is intact, and the cracks have been sealed over, then it should be fine.

with snails with a shell that is wider than it is tall, the measurement should be of the whole width of the shell, from one side of the body whorl to the other side, at the widest point.

kind regards

Mike

[Colin]

Jul 22, 2008 14:57:18 GMT moonboots said:

... you can kinda crunch it up and sprinkle it on the food. ...

Doh!! of course why didn't I think of that - thanks.

Mike - thanks for the info.

[Colin]

My mistake (trying to identify it without it in front of me) but the snail is Cepaea nemoralis.

Seems to be doing OK. He's had a mooch round without any prompting from me. I've not noticed him eating much but that could be being done while I'm in bed - he's in a different place in the morning so I assume he's getting about.

[Deleted]

They make quite good pets actually, I've got two at the moment, they're very active, and they love sweetcorn.

[Colin]

Thanks all for the advice and re-assurance.

The snailie is making a good progress and I'll probably release him back to the great outdoors of my very unkempt garden next week. I think we can pretty much guarantee it will be raining at some point so I'll not be short of opportunities