Poor snail completely without its shell :(

[shaydeesnail]

Considering it's situation, I think this may somehow be a sign of him starting to pass away It's not normal for a shell-less snail to be alive, let alone be doing anything involving reproduction. Even somewhat healthy snails won't mate or lay unless conditions are perfect, and having no shell is definitely not perfect conditions for the poor critter. Fingers crossed though!

[applejam]

Thanks for the help! I agree it is genital pore now that I look at those drawings.

I doubt the poor thing will recover from this, whatever it is Barely breathing, I don't see the lungs moving only the breathing hole a bit. It moves its eyes every now and then.

Wish I could provide you with a better photo but the poor light in my room doesn't allow any better ones and I don't want to move the snail around in this state.

[PennyFarthing]

Whatever happens, I'm thinking of you both. I know how much you've done to make the snail comfortable - you did amazingly well to give it the strength to fight for as long as it has. You couldn't have done any more - nobody could have!

[applejam]

Thanks for your reassuring words pennyfarthing, and everyone else too. This is an amazing forum, wish I was more experienced to provide help for the others in the future.

Very sleepy now myself, I fear I can't keep my eyes much longer so I reckon I'll give the box one more misting and wish the snail all the best of luck, and see how it is in the morning although I truly fear for the worst.

In the future I'll definitely tell the story about its fight and will to live to anyone who might doubt the worth and strength of snails.

There's this story I heard when I was quite young, I'm sure someone's posted it here before considering the subject, but I just want to recall it.

A man walked down the beach. The waves had washed hundreds of shells to the shore. He was picking them up and taking them back to the water. Another man walked by and shouted, asking "Why do you do that, there's hundreds of them, what does it matter?" The man on the beach picked up another shell, held it in the air and said "It matters to this one."

[PennyFarthing]

Very true. Pity we don't all think like that, isn't it? This world would be a much better place.

[tigerlily]

How is this poor fella doing this morning? I keep coming to this thread to check his progress, I'm amazed how determined he was to get this far!

I remember hearing that story too about starfish when I was younger

[applejam]

Sadly I must bring the bad news and let you know it passed away at some point during the night. I took the body back to our garden, put some soil on top of it and released the tiny baby snail there, hopefully it will lead a long life

I'm hoping the little trooper had somewhat comfortable last days <3

[PennyFarthing]

I'm sure it had much better days than it would have had if you'd given up on it. You did your best.

Now the little snail has gone to a place where it will never suffer again.

[pinkunicorn]

The little fella ate delicious foods in a comfortable and safe place, though without your intervention he would have been slowly drying out and starving, as well as suffering from the damaged shell. He could not have gotten better last days. RIP little snaily. Thank you for giving him a little bit of comfort.

[latebloomer]

Farewell little fellow. You helped him in his time of need and gave him the chance to let go of his life in peace. You truly have a good heart.

[rosiesnail2]

That is a remarkable story, I cant believe it actually was able to survive without its shell for long!