14 thoughts on “Wordless Wednesday: Gastropod In The Garden”
Snails, and slugs, were a major nuisance last year trying to eat everything on the plot. Mind you there weren’t any like this one which has an unusual shaped shell. xx
Thanks so much for your comment! I also find the empty shells on occasion and have rarely seen one actually being moved around by an occupant! I’m glad you enjoyed the photo.
Actually that particular snail (decollate) is one of the good guys – a snail that hunts other snails. You’ll note the tip end of the shell is broken? That is commonplace and so far I haven’t read anywhere what that means or why it happens. A snail that helps rid you of other snails and a mystery to boot! Some days the garden fun never ends.
Now that’s interesting! And it sent me off to do that research! According to Wikipedia: “The shell of the decollate snail is long and roughly cone-shaped. It grows to approximately 40 mm in length, and upon reaching mature size, grinds or chips off the end of its own shell by moving its body roughly against hard surfaces, so that the shell takes on a decollate shape, tapering to a blunt end.” On the other hand another source, from the University of California, just mentions that as it grows the tip becomes brittle and eventually just breaks off. Maybe it gives the snail more room? Thanks for identifying the snail. It is nice to have something good in the garden to get rid of the bad! I’ll try to keep him happy.
I know snails are just slugs with a house on their back, but this guy is beautiful, and I thank you for sharing him with us! My grandchildren love snails, collect them, build castles for them, let them crawl up their arms~ they would be tickled to see one like this in the yard! 🙂
I don’t mind snails, but I don’t like looking at slugs. I noticed when searching for some information on this one that snails are actually sold as pets. I guess I never thought of them in this way, though come to think of it, in some doctors waiting rooms I’ve seen tanks that include types of snails. I suppose they won’t eat you out of house and home like some big dogs will!
Lovely shot, last year was a bad year for slugs and snails as it was a mild winter, there were hundreds on a night in the garden, so many it was a little creepy..! had to resort to putting a few slug pellets down, as there was not going to be any plants left to flower for the bees and other insects. Made sure I removed the mess in the morning so birds ect would not eat them.
I like the look of your snail and it seems to be a good guy for the garden..
Amanda xx
Eeww! Invasion of the Body-Snatching Snails? That does sound creepy. We’ve never had that many, I’m glad to say! I do agree about removing the bait and the slugs, though. I do the same thing with red ant bait, which I hate to put out in the first place but sometimes have to. When I put it on the anthills I cover everything up with branches, etc. to keep the birds away, then rake it around and into the soil later on.
The Transmutational Garden 
Snails, and slugs, were a major nuisance last year trying to eat everything on the plot. Mind you there weren’t any like this one which has an unusual shaped shell. xx
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This one is common in these parts. I’m not sure what it’s called though! Guess I’ll do a little research. I don’t care for the slugs, either.
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I’ve never seen that alive. Only see the shell afterwards. What a treat.
Emma and Buster
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Thanks so much for your comment! I also find the empty shells on occasion and have rarely seen one actually being moved around by an occupant! I’m glad you enjoyed the photo.
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Actually that particular snail (decollate) is one of the good guys – a snail that hunts other snails. You’ll note the tip end of the shell is broken? That is commonplace and so far I haven’t read anywhere what that means or why it happens. A snail that helps rid you of other snails and a mystery to boot! Some days the garden fun never ends.
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Now that’s interesting! And it sent me off to do that research! According to Wikipedia: “The shell of the decollate snail is long and roughly cone-shaped. It grows to approximately 40 mm in length, and upon reaching mature size, grinds or chips off the end of its own shell by moving its body roughly against hard surfaces, so that the shell takes on a decollate shape, tapering to a blunt end.” On the other hand another source, from the University of California, just mentions that as it grows the tip becomes brittle and eventually just breaks off. Maybe it gives the snail more room? Thanks for identifying the snail. It is nice to have something good in the garden to get rid of the bad! I’ll try to keep him happy.
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I know snails are just slugs with a house on their back, but this guy is beautiful, and I thank you for sharing him with us! My grandchildren love snails, collect them, build castles for them, let them crawl up their arms~ they would be tickled to see one like this in the yard! 🙂
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I don’t mind snails, but I don’t like looking at slugs. I noticed when searching for some information on this one that snails are actually sold as pets. I guess I never thought of them in this way, though come to think of it, in some doctors waiting rooms I’ve seen tanks that include types of snails. I suppose they won’t eat you out of house and home like some big dogs will!
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And they don’t bark! 🙂
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Which is nice because they’d be competing with the dogs next door!
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Lovely shot, last year was a bad year for slugs and snails as it was a mild winter, there were hundreds on a night in the garden, so many it was a little creepy..! had to resort to putting a few slug pellets down, as there was not going to be any plants left to flower for the bees and other insects. Made sure I removed the mess in the morning so birds ect would not eat them.
I like the look of your snail and it seems to be a good guy for the garden..
Amanda xx
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Eeww! Invasion of the Body-Snatching Snails? That does sound creepy. We’ve never had that many, I’m glad to say! I do agree about removing the bait and the slugs, though. I do the same thing with red ant bait, which I hate to put out in the first place but sometimes have to. When I put it on the anthills I cover everything up with branches, etc. to keep the birds away, then rake it around and into the soil later on.
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I see the discarded shells often enough but I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the living being. What a great shot.
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Thanks. I looked for him again today but he was nowhere to be found! Snails are sneaky fast.
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