wild collected snails

[dave1961]

my 9 year old son, the one who's snails i seem to always have to look after, is now starting to talk about collecting some wild snails (from abroad), i am not to sure if its a wise thing to do, at the moment he does not know enough about snails, to go for more exotic types, i was wondering what other snail collectors thinks of this, maybe to increase some blood lines, on rarer snails currently kept, and also collecting rare ones that might not be kept yet. i would like anyone's thought's of the merits (or not) of doing it, as one day these could be used to reintroduce snails to the wild.
things of interest, What snails to go for, what to avoid, as to collect snails that would just die would be wrong.

[Dusk]

Hi,
if you're usually the one looking after your son's snails then he's not ready for anything that requires more care than usual. I would very strongly advise a lot more experience caring for 'easy' snails before branching out into any rarer or more specialised species, especially wildcaught which can bring their own set of problems.

This would go double for any that are not commonly kept, as the process of stablishing their ideal conditions, diet etc requires a great deal of time and attention, and without some experience to back up your approach, you have very little chance of keeping them healthy and happy. This is not something for children to attempt without a very knowledgeable adult assisting.

When you feel he has a solid knowledge of the care of the species he currently keeps, then pick one different species, research it thoroughly beforehand and try keeping a few. When you've succeeded with them, pick another and do the same.

*Then* start thinking about maybe branching out into hard to keep species

[malti]

I agree with Dusk.

Also when the time comes for u to get new snails, tell me...

[dave1961]

its not a thing i was planning on doing any time soon as the welfare of the snails has to be paramount as when he looses a snail it really upsets him, the reason i will plan ahead is getting the views off people that know what they are talking about. any ways it will take a lot of planning as we will have to persuade his mam to go on some strange holidays, will not be easy.

[muddydragon]

If you actually mean going abroad finding them collecting them and bringing them back, i'ld be very very careful and research the rules very carefully, theres a whole host of rules about bringing plants from one country to another and the same for livestock , you may require a permit etc etc some things may be banned, some species are protected, be very very careful. i'm not sure where to point you to find this information, but i know that customs have a fit about plants that come in without permits (we have a lot here that have been sequestered) livestock if not carefully checked will be ahem 'eradicated' they have massive quarantine things for pets (mainly to do with rabies which you're not going to get from wild snails but can get other things). Im not an expert on bringing in snails from other countries i only know that many plants require permits etc. i really recommend checking first, and people do check, theres people here where i work scanning ebay etc for people selling protected woods to clamp down on them! (fortunatly that is not my area, sounds a terribly boring job)
there are more exotic species of snail already over here which you can get hold of that do require specific care, once capeable of that care i would strongly suggest them they are lovely and you're not going to get in trouble for it! alot of the really odd and exotic snails are protected and endangered so you are not allowed to collect them - i expect researchers/conservationists can but deffinatly not for pets - if he is really keen on collecting and careing for and protecting with a view of reintrodcing into the wild etc why not encourage him into a biology degree with the aim of being a conservationist or researcher? that would be the best way to go about it (plus biology is just FUN!)
If you do decide to collect from the wild please get as much local info as possible and find out the rules there and here reguarding taking them from the wild

[coyote]

Sept 8, 2009 19:09:24 GMT muddydragon said:

if he is really keen on collecting and careing for and protecting with a view of reintrodcing into the wild etc why not encourage him into a biology degree with the aim of being a conservationist or researcher? that would be the best way to go about it

I was going to suggest something along these lines. He could also volunteer with organizations to get some hands-on experience without having to add to his own collection.

[muddydragon]

Sept 8, 2009 19:32:19 GMT coyote said:

He could also volunteer with organizations to get some hands-on experience without having to add to his own collection.

ooh yes theres tons of stuff out there its really really good! (i dont know about snail specific stuff, but in general!) i think this is only uni level and above but this is worth a look : www.opwall.com/
otherwise i dont know where you are based but theres a lot of stuff linked with the natural history museum ( www.nhm.ac.uk/ and www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/events/ ) - for all ages - well worth a look and probably local nature groups and botanic gardens are always trying to inspire more people they're not just plant based and are very conservation minded, here has a night in the gardens everyso often where kids camp over in the gardens have a bonfire and learn about wildlife etc etc though i cant see when one is on at the moment but well worth looking ( www.kew.org/events/index.html ) look around for such things they are fun, well worth wile, rewarding, educational i cannot sing their praises high enough! theres tons of very knowledgable people out there close to home who love nature and teaching and will gladly frolic off into the coutrside with as many people in tow who are also interested, enthusiasm is contageous. although i havent looked into it myself much but there will be things abroad both volantary etc. there are lots of adverts in the back of bbc wildlife magazine which i thoroughly recommend (the magazine not the adverts i tend to skip them) - there are probably other publications out there but this is my personal favourite, inspiring and educational great fun! maybe talk to teachers etc at his school they may know of such projects etc or maybe run some aswell.
good luck ;D
and i hope i was of some help