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Post by Greta on Jun 28, 2011 15:15:36 GMT
Hey everyone I have a small question Why is slugs slime hard to wash of than snails slime? Jus curious cause one time I touched a slug by accident and I got slime all over my fingers and when I tried to wash it off it wouldn't come off I tried soup and fairy but it just wouldnt come off so in the end I had to rub it off in a towel
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Acha-Roby
Achatina achatina
Acha-Roby
Posts: 43
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Post by Acha-Roby on Jun 28, 2011 17:26:47 GMT
yes, is typical of the slugs! i don't know why, but they have a very "strong" slime, maybe because they don't have a shell and they need some kind of stronger protection for dehydration then the slime of the snails... i hope is comprensible what i write, i'm italian:P
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Post by Greta on Jun 28, 2011 18:25:51 GMT
Oh thats what I also think but I'm just not sure and don't worry I understand you
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Post by Robert Nordsieck on Jun 28, 2011 19:43:05 GMT
Good evening,
the slime of snails and especially of slugs consists of a mixture of so called mucoproteins, that is proteins which quell in water, keeping the water in the process. As a consequence, snail slime attracts water and hardly loses it, which is called hygroscopy.
If you try to wash off snail slime, the slime will take in lots of water which makes it hard to wash off, usually you have to rub.
Snails slime of course also has some other interesting properties, which have already been discussed, and besides, that is not the question here.
Kind regards and good night Robert
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Post by Greta on Jun 28, 2011 19:55:37 GMT
Thanks robert makes a little sense now
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Jun 28, 2011 21:04:40 GMT
I agree with what Acha-Roby said; I suspect it's because slugs have no shell and would have to develop a stronger slime to compensate.
I've read that it's best to let the slug slime dry on your hand and rub it off with a dry towel, rather than trying to wash it off with water.
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Post by Greta on Jun 28, 2011 21:24:25 GMT
Ok thanks everyone I was just curious
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