Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 18:22:17 GMT
Went to one of the garden centers today to buy some new sphagnum moss, and while we were there we had a peek in the snail tank. They always have fulica there but I like to look anyway. In the middle of the tank was a pale coloured snail that looked entirely different than the others. I must say though, the whole tank was in appalling conditions. There was no food, no cuttle, and was filthy! There were also about 5 or 6 snails that were definately dead just laying in the tank, and some empty shells. Anyway, when we got over our horror, I asked the girl to get the snail out so we could have a look. (after giving her a stern lecture about the tank of coarse!)
I have no idea what it is, but it was in terible shape. It's shell is quite badly damaged, but nothing through to internal organs. It's shell has very odd growth patterns. As she moved a little tub that was inside the tank, I saw that there was an identical snail in the moss behind it. It has some slight damage to it's shell. She also managed to drop a poor little fulica onto the floor as she pulled the snail out. She said "ooppss" and just picked it up and put it back in. *sighs* She obviously didn't care much about snails at all! So i had to take those 2 little unknown snailies, it broke my heart to see the conditions they were kept in, and wished I could have taken all the little fulica as well.
They both came out of their shells straight away and had a look around. I put them into a quarantine tank and gave them some cucumber and they stuck their faces to it and ate non-stop for about an hour and a half, almost devouring the whole meal. They then went straight to the cuttle for a small nibble, and are now happily buried underneath some moss having a rest. I will let them settle in for a bit, then try to get some photos of them to post and maybe someone will know what they are. They could just be odd looking fulica, but you never know.
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Post by sezzy5889 on Jan 21, 2006 18:26:24 GMT
 aww bless, that nearly made me cry, lol, thank god you saved them though :-) Looking forward to seeing pictures  |
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Post by section8angel on Jan 21, 2006 18:38:44 GMT
Awww poor things The nearest shop to me that does reptiles has a tank of fulica, it's overcrowded but they're not actually in bad shape which is good. I always go and see them when we're there. I always hope to be surprised by a non fulica.. but it never works lol. Good to hear they're settling in ok. Pics pics pics!! ;D |
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 19:27:52 GMT
Pics soon! *laughs*
I just sent an email to the head office of Shoots to tell them of the conditions that the snails are kept in.
All the other animals there were very healthy and well cared for. Why don't they care about the snails?!
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Post by sonicsnail on Jan 21, 2006 19:39:21 GMT
Why don't they care about the snails?! It amazes me when I go into pet shops to see such bad conditions that snails are kept in.  As other people have said before, there are always a number dead, dying, or ill. I think some pet shops seem to think that snails aren't real pets. Then again, why do they have them in "Pet shops" if they are not pets?  Or maybe it's a case that the staff don't want to get near them or touch them, as they are slimy, unlike other animals. Or maybe the tanks get so dirty that no one wants to clean them out. |
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 21:18:21 GMT
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Post by sezzy5889 on Jan 21, 2006 21:31:05 GMT
well they do look different, either not fulica or a leucistic (sp?) version of fulica
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LisaLQ
Archachatina papyracea
Old friend (emphasis on the "old")
Posts: 2,995
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Post by LisaLQ on Jan 21, 2006 21:42:02 GMT
Just looks like those really badly worn shelled snails that Kevin got Poor little loves, at least they're in good hands now - congratulations on your two new snails! ;D |
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 21:42:36 GMT
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 21:44:49 GMT
Those last ones really show the damage to Jack's shell. He keeps looking at me, I think he is happy to have a good home now. Wonder how he got so damaged though. Apparently a woman just brought them in and said take them, i don't want them.
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Post by sezzy5889 on Jan 21, 2006 21:44:51 GMT
that one looks really bad, poor little darlings
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 21:47:17 GMT
Wonder if we can repair it?
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Post by Paul on Jan 21, 2006 22:02:00 GMT
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Jan 21, 2006 22:07:14 GMT
Well done for rescuing those poor little snailies. Your first post almost made me cry as well.
Val
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 22:08:04 GMT
Yes, I was just looking at that section on repair. I am undecided though. It doesn't seem to be affecting him in any way, so maybe best left alone? What does everybody think?
And if I do repair, where the heck does one buy plaster of paris from???
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Post by section8angel on Jan 21, 2006 22:16:25 GMT
Omg  Look at those poor little things. I'm sure they're both very happy now you have them  Grr now I want to goto that place with our german shepherds and give them what for!! Is no animal safe from *Lots and lots of bad words* people?!?!!? You could try ebay for the pop. Or a craft store? |
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Jan 21, 2006 22:22:03 GMT
The damage seems bad enough to try and repair it,that would keep any dirt from getting inside the wound.
I think you can get plaster of paris from craft places.
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 21, 2006 23:48:09 GMT
*nods* good ideas.
We will go on a plaster of paris hunt tomorrow then.
They have settled in really well, which is good.
*wanders off to hug all her snailies*
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Post by maidmarion on Jan 22, 2006 15:46:01 GMT
*sob sob* poor little snail, im glad u gave the girl a good seeing too though, snails dont deserve to be kept in bad conditions, theres no excuse. hope Jack's shell fixes right.
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Post by sonicsnail on Jan 22, 2006 16:11:03 GMT
I've had to rescue snails from pet stores before, I felt so sorry for them. Luckily, none have had that much damage to their shells. Hope Jack's shell is all ok, I'm sure that he will be fine.
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 22, 2006 18:03:18 GMT
no luck yet on the plaster, maybe i can check the idea of finding it online.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2006 16:11:32 GMT
ohhhh thats probly the worst shell damage ive ever seen. i'm so glad you saved them  hopefully the snails will grow beautifully now :-) |
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Moracai
Archachatina degneri
Posts: 959
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Post by Moracai on Jan 23, 2006 18:17:00 GMT
I found the plaster of paris!
I looked around the town center after work, and went into a shop called Worthing crafts and dolls. They had a huge tub of it for £8. I asked if they had anything smaller and explained to the girl what it was for. She was so touched by the story of the damaged shell of Jack, that she opened the tub, scooped some out, and gave it to me. She wouldn't take any money either.
I was really touched by her generosity.
*smiles happily*
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Post by maidmarion on Jan 23, 2006 18:32:48 GMT
we need more people like that in the world, thats really lovely and nice of her |
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Post by sezzy5889 on Jan 23, 2006 21:37:14 GMT
oh how nice of her :-)
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aww bless, that nearly made me cry, lol, thank god you saved them though :-)
As other people have said before, there are always a number dead, dying, or ill. 
Or maybe it's a case that the staff don't want to get near them or touch them, as they are slimy, unlike other animals. Or maybe the tanks get so dirty that no one wants to clean them out. 
Look at those poor little things.
hopefully the snails will grow beautifully now :-)