Worried about my snail's shell :(

[vikingsnail]

Hey, I'm a first time snail owner and I'm a bit worried about the condition of his shell, was wondering if I could pick up a little advice here

I've only had him for about 2 weeks (he's not very old, his shell is about an inch long) and I've noticed that his shell seems quite fragile. I went to pick him up, but the shell felt a little weak, and it looks as if it's a little thin down by where it meets his 'body'...

I've been feeding him each day with things like cucumber, lettuce, carrot and apple, he's got some cuttlefish but now I've started to grate a little onto his food each day just incase he wasn't eating it.

Apart from the condition of his shell (which looks healthy apart from the thinness, you only really notice when you touch it) he's quite active, doesn't seem to have any problems moving and is eating fine.

I was wondering maybe it was a little too humid for him, his tank isn't airtight and isn't in a particularly bright or cold place, but it gets quite alot of condensation.

Any ideas? Would be much appreciated

[Val]

His shell is perfectly normal! Their shell is always thin when they first grow it and you have to be very careful when picking them up that you don't break it. The shell will gradually harden off and then when he starts to grow again his shell will be fragile at the edge again. All normal

Val

[vikingsnail]

;D Thanks alot for that - I was quite worried about him!

[Tigs]

Im guessing this is a Fulica.

Their shells are quite brittle til they get older but sounds like you are doing the right things. Another thing to try is Limestone flour sprinkled on the substrate and food.

I use liquid calcium in my sprayer aswell but not sure where you can get that these days.

Maybe worth increasing the ventilation in the tank and seeing if that helps.

Do you use a Hygrometer?

Tigs

[vikingsnail]

Considering I don't know what one of those is, I guess that's a no! lol

I'm considering buying/making some snail mix which apparently contains limestone flour Although I'm not overly sure where to get that from

I've also grated some cuttlefish into the compost and given it a bit of a mix, so hopefully my snail doesn't have much choice but to eat it! lol

[Val]

Doesn't matter how much calcium he consumes his shell will still be thin at the edge when it starts to grow as this is normal, so don't worry about it.

Val

[vikingsnail]

I gave him a bit of a clean out today and noticed his shell seems a little thinner, even though he seems to be eating his cuttlefish more now It almost seems a bit see-through..

I don't know if you can see it clearly in this pic, but by the side it's thin and on the point it's a bit white (it looks whiter in the pic than it actually is)



I'm hoping this is just because he is young?

[Val]

Providing he is active and eating well his shell will strengthen as he gets older so don't worry.

Val

[vikingsnail]

Ok, sorry to be a pain!

[Val]

You aren't a pain at all!!! I just don't want you to worry about something that is quite normal.

Val

[vikingsnail]

Thanks, I really apprieciate your help