introvert snail, unhealthy snail?

[lexi]

I know a lot of questions have been asked on the burrowing of snails, but I dont believe this has been asked. My apologies if it has..

I know its common for snails to bury themselves, and Ive read that some like to bury for quite awhile. My little one has kept himself in the dirt for a couple days (im fairly certain he came up for a small nibble of carrot last night though) and Im wondering how long its safe to leave them where they are until it could become a problem (not eating properly, lack of stimulation, no handling time). Ive only had him for a few days and hes only active when i play with him, otherwise he roams for a few minutes, them sleeps.

I read one person say that its probably a good idea to get them up and moving around and make sure they eat.. I just dont want to disturb him or stress him by being a bother.
What would you do?

[whodoesntlovesnails]

hmmmm, well if he has been in the dirt now for a couple of days, i think it would be best to take him out, give him a warm bath and some food. then if he wants to go back to sleep, u will at least know that he is fed and healthy.

[coyote]

What kind of snail is he? As long as he's awake enough to eat sufficiently, he should be okay.

[lexi]

helix aspersa.
i may have spoke too soon lol.. just before i went to sleep last night i noticed him kind of poking his head out of the dirt so i coaxed him out with some carrot.. managed to give him a little bath and a good feeding. i handled him probably for a good half an hour or so, so hopefully he gets more active if i can do that more often with him. i was afraid he would sit in his hole forever i should probably not be so hasty to worry

i would still be interested to know how long everyone would feel comfortable leaving their snail to burrow for if anyone cares to share..

[Dusk]

It would depend on what type of snail. If one of my retis didn't move for 24 hours I'd be either checking for eggs or assuming the worst, but the tigers are lazy sods and I'd be marking it on the calendar if they slept *less* than 24 hours...

[coyote]

If your aspersa was buried for a couple of days, meaning about 2 days, he could have been laying eggs.

The only reason my aspersa buries himself is when he is laying eggs, and then it's for about 2 days.

The rest of the time my aspersa likes to sit on the side of the tank, or up under the lid, which is where he will estivate. He does not estivate in the substrate.

[lexi]

as it turns out i think he was laying eggs o.o
not very many though... some of them seemed dried up, while a couple were still intact. pretty small, an orange colour..seems like something white was floating inside. i saved one (i dont have room for more than that, plus Im new to taking care of them..) i guess ill see what happens, if it even is an egg. if it isnt, i have no idea what that is D: