snails: a new obsession

About Moi, Inspirations 17 comments

In some of my sketches in my Sketchbook Delight homework (see above), you might have noticed several snail drawings. Lately, I’ve found myself with snails on the brain. Fern, the resident snail over at Resurrection Fern, was my original inspiration but now my obsession has grown.

They aren’t fuzzy, but I still want to pet them! I think I might need to do some research on having snails as pets. obsession



Fern


by .bunnybum.


by Graham-IV


by Siprico


by guckstdu


by SuperKarmen


by Sara?

photo
by Dave_N1

photo
by kathrynriechert

17 comments

  1. Indiefixx
    The answer to your question to Lisa.. I guess it all depends on what size snails you have and their ultimate adult size..

    Giant African land Snails might require something in the order of several foot long, High and wide..

    But the British garden snails that I have seem quite happy in an enclosure about 14″ x 10″ x 10″.

    Make sure some soil in the bottom about 1 1/2″ deep, I use that compressed coconut husk mulch available from pet stores.. Keep it damp.. and change it everyweek or two..

    Also they love their half hollowed out upside down log. The love hiding in it during the day..

    A cuttlefish is super important as growing snails need a source of calcium for their shell.. and if they don’t get any, they may start eating their own shells..

    A small plate with variety of lettuce and other soft greens is handy, but needs to be changed everyday.. unless they are VERY hungry they don’t seem to like limp vegtables.. (unless it’s boiled carrot.. their fave)

    Small saucer of fresh water another useful addition..

    Treats… Sometimes throw in one of those small pots of growing herbs you get from the supermarket.. the love the softleaved varieties, but wask under the tap first.. some farmers use chemicals to repel pests (including snails)..

    Most of all they like exploring.. so take them out and let them discover.. you.. and your surroundings.. But keep an eye on them.. they may be slow but you’d be surprised how fr they can travel in half an hour.. and you really don’t want to hear the crunch underfoot that all snail keepers dread! LOL

    Cheers

    Graham

  2. lisa, thanks so much for sharing! sounds like so much fun.

    i do have one question. i don’t have room for a large terrarium. are they any guidelines for how much space a snail needs? also, should you keep them in pairs?

  4. I meant to tell you we have pet snails – the exact ones with the beautiful swirl. We have had them for 3 years in a very large terrarium with a screen on top, lots of plants,branches. They multiply easily – as in huge batches of eggs that need to be dug up! They eat carrots, mix lettuce, sweet potato, celery, squash and love cucumber. Some upkeep(need to be sprayed misted, they are more playful at night as in nocturnal and seem to be truly happy to see one another), but really they are so lovely to watch, they seem to enjoy having the terrarium changed around. If you have any further questions or would like pictures email me.

  9. I had a snail pet once. I kept it in a jar and fed it with cabbage. But he died, I’ve no idea why…

  11. I loooove snails. It breaks my heart when people put down salt, and other elements, to make them go bye-bye. They have a unique inquisitive look about them. Snails Rule!

  14. apparently apart from being cute they have an amazing ability to heal their shells form cracks and bruises so they are quite a symbol of self renewal!

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