My boy isn't eating!!!

[madhouse]

I arent sure quite how worried I should be I've only just rehomed two gorgeous snails - one of which the lady I got them from warned me seemed quite poorly. As she admitted herself she had neglected them both so I was hoping that with lots of the correct care and a little tlc they'd soon both be thriving.

Well both Dillon & Brian started off slowly but by the middle of last week seemed to be eating really well and doing everything that snails should be. However Brian seemed to slow down a bit at the week-end so I ordered them a heat mat which I started using yesterday.

The temperature seems to be ranging from 21-23 and humidity at about 80-85. Brian didn't eat anything to my knowlege yesterday and Ive not seen him eat anything today He seems quite happy once he's sitting on my hand or having his bath but retracts about 10-15 minutes after being put back into their tank.

How worried should I be and what can I do to help him I have tortoises as well and know that they can survive pretty lengthy periods without food as long as they are hydrated. Is it similiar for snails or should I be trying to handfeed him or pulling my hair out??

Their both great little chaps and although I've only had them a week I'm actully quite fond of them, they're very sweet and lovely and Im really hoping that I can give them the care and love that they deserve.

Help please

[morningcoffee]

I wouldn't worry too much unless he doesn't eat for a few days in a row - have you tried lots of different foods? Mine will always eat Romaine lettuce, cucumber and sweet potato, maybe there is something that he loves to eat that might tempt him. I know some people have talked about their snails going mad for porridge. Maybe try giving him a warm bath and then putting him directly onto the food while he's out of his shell?

[monday]

I'd separate them if possible. that what you'll be sure if either of them are eating or not. Also check if they're pooing, if they poo then they've eaten something.

I don't know what you're feeding them with. But try a load of different stuff and just see what they go for.

Coffee's idea of a warm bath and then straight on the food is a good one. Snails find it hard to turn food down when it´s in front of them.

Try and up the temp. slightly and spray a little more. The added temp and humidity should enourage them to be a bit more active.

Snails are ok for a few days without food, longer if they're well looked after, it's when it takes longer and longer to get them to come out of their shells...that's the time to worry about them.

[ginageorge]

try him with sweet potatoe after eatin it my snails poo orange lol

[coyote]

I don't think it's time to worry unless the snail hasn't eaten for several days. They can handle no food for a little while without any real problems. Sometimes mine sleeps or estivates for several days in a row, and he's fine once he eats something after waking up.

[madhouse]

Thanks for all your help guys - will try with some sweet potatoe and porridge tomorrow. Ive tried putting him onto food and food around him after he's had his bath but he never seemed too interested last night which is when I panicked and posted. This evening he did have more of a sniff around and seemed more interested although he's not eaten anything yet.

I'm wondering whether I'm being too clean about their tank - I'm used to cleaning the tortoises every day so am in the habit of taking out any left over food and poos straight away but I'm thinking the snails may well prefer their food a mite on the manky side

Also will try to increase the temperature a bit more - have got a heat mat that Im using for them but could do with getting some polysterene to go behind it as I put tin foil on it for now (well you have to use your initiative sometimes dont you!!) so I think Im probably losing some heat from it at the moment.

Will let you know how he goes - I'm desperate for them both to be happy - I'm the first to admit I do fuss over my animals a bit until my confidence grows and I feel I know their ways a bit more. Any other advice or helpful hints gratefully received.

Thanks again

[coyote]

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!

[madhouse]

Thanks & thank you for always answering - do appreciate it

[madhouse]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D whoooohooooooo look look look look look my boy ate some porridge!!!! I got him out for his evening bath and tickle on the shell time and plonked him onto a tea towel and handfed him!! I was determined he was going to eat - I'm desperate not to lose him bless his little slimey socks!!

So he ws a little spoilt tonight and was quite literally handfed but he did manage to eat about 1/3 of a teaspoon of porridge and is now having a wander around his tank!

I'm hoping that we've turned a corner this evening and fingers crossed he'll be fighting fit as soon as poss. I'm well chuffed!!!!

Anyone got a bib please!!!



Thanks for all your help everyone ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Dusk]

Hurrah! That sounds very positive.

[madhouse]

;D ;D ;D well I'm hoping!! They're such dear little chaps I really couldn't bear it if anything happened to them - I agreed to rehome them to give them lots of tender loving care and I'd never forgive myself if I just made things worse for either of them. All my pets mean the world to me having a soppy little moment there!!! I just want to do my best for them and hopefully bring them both round to full health so I'm hopeful that we're on the right track now ;D

[coyote]

That's wonderful! I'm glad there's some good news!

[monday]

Fantastic news. You're right, the tank shouldn't be too clean. I leave some of the poo in there, and remove about 60% of it every two days. I also leave the food in there for a while too, again I change it every two days or so.

I beleive the poo is important, they need the bacteria in order to fuction properly, and some species will eat food that's a touch manky, while others only fresh stuff.