Shell shape

[sonicsnail]

I have some fulica, with rather stubby looking shells. However, some fulica who are around the same age and have been raised in the same way to have a different shell shape. I can't possibly see why this could be stunted growth, for they are growing like mad! I know there's going be some difference between each snail but I would think as much difference between my snails in the pics below. After noticing this to be a common occurrence amongst snails, I would like to know what causes this.

Thanks,

Sonic

Pics:

Here is a fulica with a more elongated shell.



Here is one with a much more round shaped shell.




The first pic (below) is more recent and the one below that is of the same snail when he was younger.

[LisaLQ]

I think it's just your average fulica variation

Piccie of mine (top left isn't a fulica, that's Monty the reticulata):


Sam - long and thin (right), Cooper - much rounder (left):


And Layla's somewhere in between:

[LisaLQ]

Sorry - just to add to that - they're not related in any way, are yours?

[sezzy5889]

all of these are (or were) my fulica, none related in any way,
there is soo much variation in fulica thats why they often get mixed up with other species

[sonicsnail]

lisalq said:

Sorry - just to add to that - they're not related in any way, are yours?

Yes, I believe mine are related, that's why it's strange that there's such a variety between their shells. The snail (second pic, my post) has a very rounded shell, but with a nice sunset colouration. ;D I'm just concerned that with this shell shape they may turn out under average for fulicas in shell length. Could that happen? They're growing great, but whether or not that means they will turn out a normal length, I don't know???

[Deleted]

slight variations in shell shape dont really affect the snails that much.

[sonicsnail]

The thing is they are related and the variation is not slight, there is an obvious difference. I just wondered if there was a reason, or is it just a random event, you may get some with totally different shell shapes...??

[Deleted]

shell shape is very variable. i had 2 iredalei siblings with completely different shell shapes. and not all siblings look the same...

[sonicsnail]

I suppose it is just variation. The only thing I am worried about is their adult shell legnth. I'll have to see when they grow a bit more if they turn out to be normal fulica length...

[Deleted]

so what if they dont get to 'normal' fulica length (which is extremely variable anyway)

i've got 2 fulica with VERY ventricose shells which are 12cm so u dont have to worry.

[sezzy5889]

the snails probably won't be as long or maybe even as big as it's sibling, but will be just as healthy and live as long :-)

[sonicsnail]

Yes, as long as they are healthy, then great. I would like them to grow to an average fulica size, well for an adult. I'm not bothered if they don't, but it would be nice. I know fulica get to about 12cm max in captivity and that is what I would like them to grow to. Like I said, I'll have to see, just wait a few months then they should be adult size... If there was no particular reason for this then I can just put it down to extreme variation.

[LisaLQ]

Well I know Cooper's bigger than KathyM's Jethro (his bro). But as for fatter snails being smaller, if you look at Sam in those pics I posted - he's long and thin, and a couple of months older than Cooper at least. Then you have Cooper, who's enormous with a fatter shell, so I dont think assuming because their shells are fat, they wont grow up properly. Cooper's nearly 10cm now, and we only got him in October

[sezzy5889]

I never said he wouldn't though, i said he probably wouldn't because a lot including Cooper do grow a fair size :-) but also a lot don't because they are stunted...

[LisaLQ]

Yeah but Sonic says they are growing quickly - so I'm still betting on normal variation. I think if they were stunted, they'd have been so from the start, and it's obviously not lack of good food and care, so perhaps it's just normal sibling diversity. After all, me and Kathy were batch mates (pmsl) and we were raised the same, and she's different to me

[sonicsnail]

I wouldn't say they are stunted, for they are growing well. So, yes maybe just normal variation is the cause. They grow about 1-2 mm per day, not in length but extra shell growth going downwards, if you see what I mean. So I would say that's pretty good going?

However, we seem to have the cause now, but I still need a little help with something different. I am always referring to them as "my snails" or "the snail". They are nameless, poor things. They would like some names and I'm useless with naming. Has anyone got any name suggestions for the three snails in the pics above?

Thanks very much to everyone why replied,

Sonic

[LisaLQ]

Larry, Moe and Curly? (3 Stooges)

[sonicsnail]

Hmmm... Nice idea, but I'm not too keen on those names. However, any suggestions would always be better than me trying to think of names lol. Has anyone got anymore?

[Deleted]

how about MOON UNIT

[section8angel]

Tom, Dick and Harry! Rofl. ;D

[LisaLQ]

Rod, Jane and Freddie? ;D

Ooh oh oh oh or Zippy, George and Bungle...

[sezzy5889]

Hugh, Pew and Barney Magroo

[section8angel]

Hahaha. Eeny Meeny and Miney They would need a Moe too though rofl.

[sezzy5889]

Steve, Jeff and Paul

[sezzy5889]

what are those three called from The Hoobs? lol