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Post by cptalbertwesker on Mar 9, 2009 13:09:23 GMT
I know what the care sheet says, and basically everything else I have read the same thing, but I can't get to grips with picking my snail up, I think I'm too afraid I'll hurt him.
What secrets do any of you have when it comes to easing him onto you?
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Post by AlienSnail on Mar 9, 2009 17:07:59 GMT
Hmmm. Well the golden rule is to not pull, and not squeeze the new shell growth, which I think you already know. So if there's one stuck to something I nudge it's body, nudging from the left side of it's body where the body meets the tank surface, and gently sliding it a bit from the left to the right usually loosens the snail's grip. Nudging the left hand side avoids accidently bumping or putting pressure on the new shell growth, which is on the right. It can then be gently picked with very little resistance, by it's shell. Gently nudging both sides of it's body where it's fixed itself to the surface has a similar affect. But we all have different methods......  |
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Post by feebix on Mar 9, 2009 20:11:12 GMT
Yeah it`s hard to describe really. As AlienSnail says, the new shell growth is the bit you want to avoid, but the rest is surprisingly strong ! Just don`t squeeze your snail too hard. If any of my snails are really stuck on the tank, I drop a little bit of water onto the glass where they are, this usually makes them come unstuck quite easily, just move them along the glass untill they come off ! lol  I think given a bit of time, you`ll get the hang of it with no problems, it`s just a case of gaining a bit experience really. Maybe you could go and practice with some native snails in the garden, if you can pick them up with no problems, GALS are loads harder shelled than those !  |
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Post by choco on Mar 11, 2009 18:26:44 GMT
I usually push my finger under the snail's head or side, lifting the flesh away from whatever they're stuck on - holding onto the shell lightly as well to make sure that I don't drop them. Once you've peeled a bit of the body away from the surface, the rest of them usually comes off with no resistance. Make sure you've got clean and wet hands before touching their bodies though |
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I think given a bit of time, you`ll get the hang of it with no problems, it`s just a case of gaining a bit experience really. Maybe you could go and practice with some native snails in the garden, if you can pick them up with no problems, GALS are loads harder shelled than those ! 
