Snail died - how to clean out and keep shell?

[Mweekie]

Hiya,

Unfortunately, Casey (now known as Morcom) passed away this morning. 

I was wondering how to clean out his shell as I want to keep it because it is a lovely shell. 

Do I just use water, or can I clean it out with soap as well? 

Squidge (now know as Wise) is doing OK, but am now keeping a close eye on him, as I am not sure what caused Morcom's death.

Hope you can help.

Many apologies for not being on here much lately - been concentrating on my Wildlife Rehabilitation Course during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mweekie xx

[snerdahmik]

I’m so sorry for your loss. If his body is still intact, you should be able to take a fork or a pair of small cosmetic tweezers and pull him out. If it’s deeply retracted you may need to turn it to a certain angle to reach the body. Don’t wait longer than one or two days to do this, because the fluids inside the body may squirt out. Happened to me once, was not nice.. Taking the body out of the shell disturbing to some people, I really hope that you’ll be alright if this is the method you choose. 

When one of my eldest snails died a few years ago, I left him on my porch for a couple days. Maggots ate the body, then I soaked it for a few seconds with lemon and apple cider vinegar and boiled the empty shell (to ensure all maggots were gone..) That’s another method you could use.

[Mweekie]

Thanks for the quick reply snerdahmik. I've managed to get most of him out - it's just the last final piece right at the point. I'll try the maggot method today and see if that will work as well. If necessary, I will just boil the shell and see what happens.

Mweekie xx