Keeping Shells In Good Condition

[Snail Lover.]

I decided to make this thread so people know how to improve there snails shells conditions , if anyone disagrees or thinks different just let me know, Every time you decide to bathe your snail you could get a light paint brush dip it in warm water and spread it over the shell, not only do you get rid of muck, but you also improve colour and its alot more comfortable,Ive done this with my own snails, and i must say its a vast improvement and the shells seem to grow better. So if you are having problems with shells then you could try it, i dont know if to do this when the shells damaged i just think its good in general. Let me know if anyone tries it or finds it any good, and paintbrushes with fien tips seem to be softer than toothbrushes.

[snailysnail]

i use a paint brush rather than a toothbrush as well... just because it doesn't scratch the shell at all.
anna x

[Snail Lover.]

Yeah, well i think its alot better, and a toothbrush has more force which can be good for getting the dirt off but i prefer paint brush.

[Dusk]

I've found that a toothbrush is helpful with retics - they're so bumpy, sometimes they need a good scrubbing

[Sarah]

I use a childs toothbrush, soft enough not to damage the shell but hard enough to remove the dirt

[Louise]

I use a small paint brush too. They don't seem to mind having a clean up

[Snail Lover.]

Well there also softer, and too get dirt you just apply slightly more pressure.

[Rachel]

cotton buds. and a friend suggested ordinary vaseline in small amounts to polish the shell, rub it on then wipe it off. have not tried it myself so don't know if its ok.

[Snail Lover.]

Vasiline would make the shell shiny, but im not going to try it as i dont know if its ok for them as the snail sanctuary said.

[Dusk]

I haven't tried this, but I'd be inclined to make a base of beeswax and some kind of oil, apricot kernal or sweet almond maybe, or avocado. I'd think that would be better for shells than petroleum-based products.

[coyote]

I too would be leery of using petroleum-based products on or around my snails.

[lizzie97444]

after I bathe my snails I put Olive Oil on their shell
It does work fine but it doesn't last too long.
But It does make their shell shinee looking for a while ;D
does anyone else do that here??

[patly78]

I read in somewhere that Sesame Oil were good for polishing snail shells, I found toasted sesame oil and really it is good for making the shells shine... Lovely pictures.... I apply with a cotton bud and clear under water tap, just in case they drink it, but it doesnt seem to bother them, they very healthy

[Rachel]

i'll have to try that

[lucyjames]

Me too :-)

I think in my early snail keeping days I scrubbed my lad a bit too roughly as his shell seems to have lost it's colouring in several places....!!! It's like the brown has flaked off....

So now I just use my hands and a soft cloth, but will try sesame oil to give them a polish ;D

[crossless]

I try to find paint brush. And avocado is dangerous to snail, so I wouldn't put it on snails shell. R snails really cleaning their shells? Sometimes I hear scratching sounds and it sounds same as they r eating seepia. When I lift them on seepia they start to eat it..

[Dusk]

What kind of snail is avocado dangerous to? Mine love it

[crossless]

I just read, it not gd for them cos it's mostly fat, but maybe if u don't give much at same time then it ok.