trouble with handling my snails

[christyjade]

Hi, I got my two lovely snails now, and i wish to handle them of course! But when I do it tickles my hand so much it is unbearable! I must have really ticklish hands! Is there anything I can do, like wear gloves or something to stop it from tickling so much because at this rate I will never get to handle them! I was thinking about getting some of those thin plastic gloves, like surgical gloves, or would these be bad for the snails??

Any help appreciated!!

Christy

[Lotty_Loo...[x]]

lol sorry no ideas

[eric2]

try putting damp paper towels on your hand then let them slime over it

[Val]

I think they do feel strange at first, but believe me it is something you quickly get used to ;D Try letting them come onto the back of your hand instead.

Val

[donovanbyrd]

my snails knaw on my hand thats how mine tickle me

[glittersnail]

Sorry I dont know what you can do?...As some one said before..you should get used to them on your hand after a little while! When I hold mine they dont tickle me at all...but they do some times suck on my hand if they smell food..lol..

[lippy]

That's a tough'y i'd say if the back of your hand doesn't work, try putting em on the back of your arm.

[Tigs]

Have you tried those gloves that doctors wear - Just before they say this wont hurt a bit ;D

[Katie]

All i can say to that one is to wear gloves, that should stop you from feeling the tickles.
I just got some snails to and they tickle me but i dont mind it. I reckon you will get used to it after a while.

[kanin]

Could it be when the snail examinates you by rasping on your hand that you feel is uncomfortable or is it the movement of its foot that tickles you?

If its the rasping thats unpleasant, in most cases the snail will eventually stop rasping your hand as you get to know eachother and your hand becomes less exciting. Some individuals tend to rasp more than other though.

What species is it that you keep?
I've noticed when handling my own snails that some species seem to have sharper radulas(the snails tounge) than others and therefore can tickle alot and in some cases actually be uncomfortable. I keep some european snails and some african snails and I've noticed that the larger specias of european snails (Helix pomatia) that I keep don't have as sharp radulas as my african snails (Achatina fulica, Achatina Iredalei).
I've also noticed that Iredaleis have much sharper radulas than fulicas and that their rasping can actually somtimes kind of hurt.

[sandie]

I love handling my snails, and they seem to enjoy the contact with my skin. I like it when they rasp me, it feels strange at first, but you quickly get used to it.

The more you handle them, the more they respond to you, and even "ask" to be held by coming up to the top of their tanks.

Never have I had any of my Snails "bubble" me, or withdraw from contact.

I have to admit, that when I first started keeping Snails, I had no idea that they would make such lovely pets.

[moonboots]

i find that the earlier you handle them from age wise the friendlier they are. my first snail Enzo (he an old man now) wasn't handled for the first year of his life cos he wasn't mine, and he still doesn't like being handled.

my new margies are ok with it tho, as are my baby hams. just keep persevering is my guess