Other Turtle Discussion :: Snail-Patrol

[adam85491]

My Mom just got me a snail for my tank, and I am sitting here watching its shell, hoping it is alive. The turtles didn't know it was there at first, as it blends in with the small rocks I have in there, but then they started looking at him and poking it so now I am trying to protect the snail, for snail-related purposes.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Depending on how big your turts are, they may actually eat the snail! Nothing is safe from a hungry turtle (and believe me, my big adult RES always acts like I never feed her & is always begging for more food.....thank goodness for romaine lettuce.....she can eat and eat and eat but I don't have to worry about her gaining more weight, LOL)

[adam85491]

I know, but I am hoping to build up their will power and hopefully the snail gets pretty big, or atleast multiplies once! It hasn't moved yet but they said it was alive at the store.

[industrial_girl_2000]

If you put some vegetables in the tank, the snail may wake up. Sometimes they go into a "hibernation" if they don't find food in the tank (and they "look" dead). Having something like squash or some green lettuce may make the snail "wake up" and start eating.

You can tell the snail is dead if you smell it and it smells rotten (like rotten eggs).

[pumpkinsherbet]

i found a snail in my sink last month, stuck it in the tank. i swear that snail didn't even get finished pleaing for its life before it got eaten.

[adam85491]

It is a black mystery snail and hasn't moved. You can see something in it and it doesn't smell, but still no movement. The turtles started playing with it, hoping it was food, but don't realize there is a hole to get in the shell. Hopefully it starts moving or I will ask my Mom to get a yellow one next time.

[pumpkinsherbet]

don't mystery snails have some kind of hinge to protect them from predators? maybe it's just scared.

[adam85491]

I was reading on the internet that they are inactive for hours/days at a time because they only come out to breed or eat. I don't understand this trap-door nonsense, but I do see this blob thing in there that is pretty sturdy.

[pumpkinsherbet]

it's not nonsense box turtles have it too! though it seems it's more to protect from drying out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_mystery_snail

Apple snails are exceptionally well adapted to tropical regions characterized by periods of drought alternating with periods of high rainfall. This adaptation is reflected in their life style: moderately amphibious and being equipped with a shell "door" enabling the snail to close itself off in the shell to prevent drying out while hiding in the mud during dry periods.

[adam85491]

Yeah, but I never seem to be able to tell which part it is.

[mkoby]

I believe they are more active at night too. If your turts are messing with it, it could be playing dead. I would make sure he has places to hide and see if he has moved in the morning.

[adam85491]

I think it's dead. I see something in there, but it hasn't moved in days. I have a fake plant and a dragon and some small stones that look a little like the snail, but still no luck. I am pretty disapointed, but maybe it will move in a little bit. Thanks.

It's pretty hard inside, and it doesn't smell. I don't know if that is the trap-door or what.

[bubblestheturtle]

I used to have pet land snails. they can be in this hybernation state for up to two years. if your water is too cold, then the snail may not come out either. your particular type of snail is also more active at night. trust me, if your snail is dead, it will smell really really bad. snails are really inactive creatures, so just leave it alone. since it dosent have any food and its surrounded by things that want to eat it, there is no reason for it to come out. if you want it to come out if its shell, offer vegetables, fish food (this is easier to smell)..they will eat almost anything. try putting it in a separate contailer with a small amout if warm water in it with some sort of fish or turtle food or veggies and see what happens.

but remember, if the snail comes out of its shell, it will probably be immediately eaten. so if you want to keep it alive, the snail is exactly where it needs to be, in its shell.

[adam85491]

I was hoping it would clean the tank. It doesn't smell, and there is algae and turtle food and cuttlebone and debris on the bottom in there, with a temperature of 78 degrees. If this thing would come out just so I knew it was alive I would be a little more contempt.

[bubblestheturtle]

the temp is fine, but one snail isnt going to clean your tank. it will def. eat the algae though. it wont really help claen your tank for many reasons tho.
if you put more snails in, some will be more active, allowing the turtles to eat them..which will make your tank dirty
and remember..what goes in, must come out. they can eat your algae..but they will create waste. just one tho wont make a difference. it give the turtles something to do while poking at it! how entertaining