Very Odd Snail Behavior

[thegreatloofa]

Today, I found a Cepaea nemoralis (Brown Lipped Snail) trundling along looking very active and fully extended in the middle of my patio. This was in full sunshine and the patio was hot to the touch. How could it be doing this? It couldn't have come out of anywhere as there were no objects near it and it didn't look like it had been dropped by a bird as it was undamaged and unhurt. This sort of behavior in native snails is tantamount to suicide, any passing bird could have seen it and gobbled it up. I placed it under some big leafy plants where it could be safe anyway.
Has anyone else seen this or anything similar? I know GALs often sunbathe but this is something different entirely.
What about anything else that can be described as dangerous to a snails health, humans often put themselves in stupid places/situations, why not snails?
Maybe it was just a nutter snail?

[bookitten]

I saw that a few days ago. It was one of those really hot days too [if your in the UK]. it was in the middle of a path made of concrete, and being a dark grey must have been hot. it was a helix aspera in the sunlight, looking really active as if it were a cool wet day. i picked it up and put it under a shady tree. How WEIRD!!!!!! i dont know why they do it. maybe it was heading for somewhere and so went quickly so it wouldnt have to spend to much time in the sunlight.


sophie