Shell condition question

[Libby Tuesday]

I adopted a snail a few days ago from a friend whose family didn't want him any more. I have no prior experience with snails, and have been doing a lot of research on the internet and found this website.
Loads of you have posted pictures of your snails, and they all seem to have beautifully immaculate shells. The shell of mine (now renamed 'The Rancor' ;D ) is quite shabby by comparison, and I was wondering if it was an indication of a health problem or malnutrition.



Sorry for the large picture size...

Any comments would be appreciated

[goose]

His shell looks nice and strong so I wouldn't worry - just provide a varied diet and plenty of calcium. Scratches and worn areas on the shell of snails as they get older are common. Differences in growth rates can cause rough areas, food availability causes shell growth to speed up or slow down and will affect shell building. My rescue fulicas have similar rough shells, particularly my older one - as long as he is eating and active he will be just fine - not all our snail's shells have super model looks believe me!!

[spook]

Yeh the shell looks nice and thick i wouldn't worry at all! my 2 fulicas are just coming up to 3 years old and they have the odd dull bit and scuff mark on their shell