Preserving and cleaning shells (possibly morbid)

[Dusk]

Is there any good way to remove the snail body from the shell when a giant land snail has passed away? I would love to keep the shells of my dear snails after they have gone but I don't know how to do so.

[kanin]

Since the 1500s untill the early 1900 artists and scientists produced skeletons by sinking dead bodies placed within a casket into a river for a month. The casket was provided with small holes where the water could pass and the current and the decomposing process rinced the flesh of the bones leaving a perfect skeleton. I don't know if this would work with snails as the bodie is within the shell. The shell would of course get dull and whiten within time as it does when a snail has died unless you would apply some sort of transparent varnish or lacquer shortly after the snail had died.

You could perhaps dissolve the body with some sort of acid or chemical aswell but that would probably affect the shell too. Bending or cutting the body out completly seems impossible as it stretches far back into shell otherwise that would be the quickest way to do it and the most easy way for the shell. I think dissolving it in water or perhaps use some sort of insect to eat the body out would be the best way.

I'm sorry if I've made anyone uncomfortable it is an quite unpleasant subject after all

[Dusk]

Any ideas? I have giant apple snails and they will happily eat their deceased siblings, but they showed no interest in a deceased land snail.

[Katie]

I think you can get a type of bug that eats the body (Yuk, i know lol). thats how people who collect shells for money do it anyway. (They wait for the snail to die first, in case it sound wierd)
Their was a thread on here about it Ages and ages ago, but can't find it

[kanin]

Ants perhaps? you could try place the deceased snail on an anthill- even though the idea of ants swarming all over it gives me the creeps

[coyote]

I've pulled the dead bodies out of garden snails intact, with a little wiggling during the removal process. For a snail with a more elongated shell, perhaps the use of a crab fork (also known as a lobster fork or seafood fork) would help? They usually have 2 long, thin tines and often a little scoop at the end of the handle. They are designed for getting the last bits of crab meat out of the ends of the legs and claws. (pic)

An alternative to using tools is to place the dead animal where insects can find it and feed on it undisturbed -- ants, beetles, flies, terrestrial leeches, etc. That will take many days, though. Bacteria will cause an odor, as well.

I wonder if the processes on this page would apply to snails? (scroll down to 'I found a bone, how do I clean it?')

[crossless]

I heard that the best way is to froze your snail and let it melt and when u pull the shell snail will slime out of it shell, nother way it to boil your snail, and then it will let off the shell.

[coyote]

If a snail is frozen, the shell may crack when the formation of ice causes the body to expand.

[Sarah]

You can also boil the snail - this makes the body very easy to pull out (same way they prepare escgargot) However this is a bit grisly to do with your pet! I've always just left shells in the garden. or buried them, and let nature take its course. They don't usually smell too bad

[Rachel]

sorry guys, but this has made me feel unwell. i'm one of the bury the loved pet and put flowers on grave kinda gal. the idea of... nah, noooo way.

[kanin]

I understand you ss, I wouldnt do any of theese things either:P I use to bury mine at the cemetary here in the city, when no ones watching of course, under a big tree and a beautiful flowerbed.

[Dusk]

Well, we all honour the dead in our own ways.

Thanks for the advice, everyone - much appreciated.

[birdie]

i guess you can also give it to the other snails...i know, mine sounds very morbid...

[crossless]

I cleaned shells so that I just took knitting needle and pulled body out of shell. Other snail was harder to get out I had to pull hard as I can and make circular rotating movement at the same time. I had to froze other snails remains because it had egg sack inside of it. Other one I put down and shell didn't crack in freezing process. But it took really long to snail melt I took it out from freezer about at 6at night and it was over midnight melted..

After that I soaked shells in water and empty shells from water and "drown" them again so some dirt will come out of there.. Then I boiled them as disinfectant and rinse them with water so all things will come out of back of the shell and I put them upside down to drinking class to drain.

[aerliss]

I've put mine outside. Leave it a week or so (less time in wet weather) and the wild beasties in the garden will take care of the body, leaving a clean shell for you to do with as you like. If you put it somewhere sheltered (inside a toppled plant pot, for example) it'll keep its colours.

Only had one problem; something bored a small hole in the top of one shell. No idea why...