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Post by picklepies on Apr 21, 2017 18:52:21 GMT
Hi all, I found 2 helix maxima (i think?) On my windowsill, probably dropped by one of the pigeons. They both have damages shells and look a bit thin, so I've brought them in to try and help them  they're currently in an unheated tank with a couple of plant pots and coir with moss on top. They have food, calcium and a tiny bath, is this okay? flic.kr/p/TT2Dic |
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Post by etana on Apr 21, 2017 21:21:41 GMT
Aww, poor things. The setup sounds ok, make sure to offer calcium (though I'm sure you knew it, but it's also for lurkers ), and once they've settled in, protein to help get their weight up. |
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Post by picklepies on Apr 22, 2017 7:59:05 GMT
They're got cuttlefish and a little bowl of calcium as I'm not sure which they know to eat lol they're such funny little things, zooming around, stuff everything lol, i think I'm too used to my picky lot  they are quite mucus-y though, and I know quite a lot of the areas round here use pesticides, so I'll keep an eye on that too! X |
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Post by etana on Apr 22, 2017 8:54:21 GMT
Lol, yeah, wild snails binge eat at first because they're not used to food being always there. You can gently wash the snails under the tap, with luke-warm water. Though small snails have relatively more mucus than giant snails do, and they also often will secrete some extra when picked up so you'd drop them. |
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Post by picklepies on Apr 22, 2017 10:32:58 GMT
Ooo okay so they're probably fine? They seem really quite friendly, and i now have a few more, as the reptile shop said the box of snailies would be frozen today as it's got to it use by date (?) And as they know me as snail girl they asked if I would take them so i now have 7 more snailies, i have noticed the intensively farmed ones are a lighter colour than the wild ones, which could be interesting evolutionary? They're all crowded round the food now which is very sweet flic.kr/p/SRXqmpThis is there current set up, i don't suppose they need a heat mat? X |
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Post by jolovessnailies on Apr 22, 2017 15:22:06 GMT
Oh bless them, I am glad you were able to save them hunni, you are obviously their guardian angel. I bet they think they are in heaven too with cuttlefish and other goodies coming their way. I have always found wild snailies to be very friendly, it is lovely when you first feel that tickle on your hand before they come out to say hello. The set up is pretty too, please keep us posted love.
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by picklepies on Apr 22, 2017 16:19:22 GMT
W thank you Jo they are unexpectedly friendly! They're all snoozing now in various nooks and crannies, the pet shops snails seem to enjoy the hiding places, they were just in a clear plastic tub which must've been weird for them xx
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Post by jolovessnailies on Apr 23, 2017 15:59:23 GMT
You are very welcome love, it sounds as if they are so happy and cannot believe their luck. Thanks for the update.
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by etana on Apr 23, 2017 18:18:33 GMT
Yeah, at this point they wouldn't be so active & eating if they had lethal pesticide on them, so the mucus is probably ok. You could maybe try to catch a wild snail from a clean area for comparison? Huh wow a "use by" date for snails, that's weird. I'm glad they're in such a cute little tank now with lots to see. And yeah Helix aspersa (and H. aspersa maxima) don't need extra heating. |
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Post by jolovessnailies on Apr 24, 2017 8:25:54 GMT
I bet it is like an adventure playground for them love. I really wish these pesticides would be banned, I think they are diabolical.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by picklepies on Apr 24, 2017 19:40:48 GMT
Yeah i thought the use by date was weird, apparently it's because they rub the risk of all dying after that point, too long in the box? Which would be bad for the shop, so they freeze them...
They seem happy enough, one of the pet shop ones has passed away, but he was always thin xx
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Post by jolovessnailies on Apr 25, 2017 8:37:19 GMT
I am sorry you have lost one love. Bloody pet shops want a good shake up!!!!
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by etana on Apr 26, 2017 5:12:45 GMT
I once had a snail, my first giant snail, who lived his babyhood in an opaque tub with just coir, calcium and food in it. He was terrified of the world! He didn't dare to move or do anything at all when I went to pick him up and he got a proper tub (with real plants at the time, too). He just sat there staring in front of himself.
However later when I got a second, bigger snail, he took the little guy under his shell, and he grew up to be a very clever snail who always went to hold feet with anyone who was in distress. <3
I'm glad the pet store snails are active in their new home. The thin one also died loved, at least.
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Post by jolovessnailies on Apr 26, 2017 8:48:28 GMT
That is just adorable Etana love, what a heartwarming little story. I tell mine I love them and I think they understand.
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by picklepies on Apr 27, 2017 20:11:14 GMT
Aw Etana and Jo, i tell mine they're loved too! Except the thin one all the rest are doing well, one seems to be hibernating, but i think it may have been the move stressed him out, and he's trying to calm down? They are adorable, loads of shell bumping and stalk touching |
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they're currently in an unheated tank with a couple of plant pots and coir with moss on top. They have food, calcium and a tiny bath, is this okay? 
they are quite mucus-y though, and I know quite a lot of the areas round here use pesticides, so I'll keep an eye on that too! X