Outgrowing the Shell

[lucyjames]

Hi...

I know that snails can, eventually, outgrow their shells - what are the tell tale signs of a snail that is getting too big for it's shell...?

Bernie is *still* not attached to his shell around the outer rim where the damage was sustained - though he is now coming out without the need for spraying and dipping, and he is eating... I am just worried that he will not grow any shell and get too big...

I have had him and Hattie since just before Easter, and so far Hattie has formed about 1cm of new shell - Bernie still isn't even attached

I know there is little I can do - but I would just like to know if there are any warning signs that I should look out for...?

Thanks in advance for helping me with the little blighter ;D

[Louise]

I didn't think land snails could out grow there shell. I know there shell grows with them as they grow up, but do they really out grow there shell? ( like hermit crabs and search for a new one!!)

[Snail Lover.]

i didnt think they did ither, with all my snails there shells have grown before them, so im unsure? .

[coyote]

I've never heard of it either. Sometimes I've seen a post about a snail growing faster than its shell, but I've never heard of it completely outgrowing the shell. Eventually the shell catches up, apparently.

[Rachel]

As coyote said, occasionally a snail will grow faster than its shell for a while, but the shell always catches up. I've had it happen myself. Try grinding some cuttlefish and sprinkling in on the substrate so the snail will pick up more calcium, and make sure they get time with sunlight so they get vitamin D (vitamin D helps with calcium absorbtion).

[lucyjames]

Thanks for that.... he's in the sun anyways as he and Hattie seem to quite enjoy the extra warmth... I have some limestone power and a limestone and oyster shell block arriving very soon, so the little fiend will soon be overrun with calcium ;D

I will just have to hope he gets too fat for his house, and decides suddenly that he has to build an extra floor ;D

[Deleted]

hiya do you know where i could get calcium? Are clean eggs shells good?

[danikat]

Best source of calcium is cuttlefish bone. You can buy it from most pet shops because it's sold for birds. You can also get crushed oyster shell from pet shops that can be ground down further and sprinked on the floor of the tank or added to food.

Egg shell might work, although mine never touched it, but unless you eat eggs every day you'll need something else because they need a constant supply of calcium.

[Deleted]

ok thanks

[coyote]

I recommend cuttle also, because it is easy to get. Be sure to rinse it off before placing it in the tank.

[bloodhawk]

I know that some of my snails prefer crushed oyster shell that comes in lil petrey dishes i think its dusk that sells it on ebay but since i put one in with my iredaleis they wont touch cuttle they just love it my margies love it too but they will still munch there cuttle

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Limestone-oystershell-calcium-block-Giant-Land-Snails_W0QQitemZ320480237385QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects?hash=item4a9e1c5749


hope this helps

[infiltraitor]

^ I've just ordered another one of those from Dusk yesterday

Our guys have almost munched through their current one, though they do eat cuttle too.