Weird shell formation and red tendrils growing out

[webdiva423]

Hi, couldn't find this in any of the previous posts. We had a small garden snail attach itself to a metal decorative table on our back porch. The shell gradually changed to white, then looked like it was growing larger. Now, there is a bit of the actual snail exposed and there is a red dot of what seems to be living matter on the snail that looks like a small red drop about the size of a pencil lead. Out of this red dot are 4 red thin hair-like tendrils growing out. Can anyone please tell me what the heck this is? Thank you!

[ness]

Is there a way that you can photograph this please?

It sounds to me like it could be a fungal growth or perhaps algae. The shell turning white is intriguing too. I see empty shells turn white, and also shells of living snails as sometimes the outer coloured layer can weather away.
But I'm really not sure.

Which part of the snail is exposed? Is there a hole in the shell or is part of the snail poking out from the proper shell opening?
Could it be that the snail has died (it can be stuck on to your post for some time by dried snail mucus is left alone) and another creature is living in there?

[coyote]

I agree that a photo would be a big help in trying to figure this out.