Dry, rough looking shells.

[escargot5]

Shell development
« Thread Started on Sept 8, 2008, 3:02am »

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Hello,
I posted this in the growth section and wondered if maybe I put it in the wrong place since there were no responses.
I thought I would try here in the help section.
This is my question.

I have many growing cepaea nemoralis snails from two wild caught parents. Perhaps not all, but many of them have sort
of dry looking, or rough textured looking shells. I give them cuttlefish and they eat it but maybe not a varied enough diet. ?
What could be the cause, or is this normal for them to have rough looking shells while they grow? The parents shells still look the same as when I caught them and there are some individuals which also look fine on their shell. Any ideas?
Thank you
Richard

[monday]

Hi Richard, Do the snails get plenty of daylight? It's important for them to have daylight to promote healthy snails. Like us, we'd look odd if we didn't get out in the sun....I'll post a pic of my geeky brother if you don't beleive me.

Another thing could be the substrate you're using, most stuff that's used for snails is quite acidic, adding some chalk to the substrate can up the Ph to a more snail friendly level. You can get chalk powder from garden centres....it's incredibly cheep. I get mine for €0.30 per Kg.

As you also mentioned a varied diet is important, try them on lots of different foods. My grove snails loved grapes, and other soft fruit like apricots, peaches and plums. I noticed that they ate more of it when it was slightly on the turn...going a bit bad. Add some new foods and remove what they're used to having for a while. If the snails have the same food all the time and you add something new, chances are they'll eat what they are used to.

keep us informed and good luck.