A snail out of water!

I thought this was kind of crazy and had to share this pic I took this morning of a snail that had gotten itself totally out of water!

I've seen them get out and stay out of the water for quit a while, but not like this! It was totally dry and still alive and well, and has now continued on it's duties IN the tank.

 

That's cool. every now and then my snails will get on my mag float and hang there with their shell out of water for a while.

 

it probably can retain its moisture for quite along time in its shell. if you keep having this problem it means your snail isn't happy in that size tank or you don' t have enough food for it. i had a big zebra turbo crawl out my tank and go down the glass almost to the stand.

 

ya snails are tough when high tide turns low, many snaills will get stuck on the rocks to dry but have amazing ability to retain moisture untill the next hight tide.

 

That happens to me too! Usually they don't make it all the way though... Guess they just want some freedom.

 

It can mean that, but not necessarily. Is that a Nerite in the pic? Nerites live in tidal regions and it is very normal for them to leave the water (and usually return). About twice a week I have to pick a Nerite off the floor and toss it back in the tank.

I've seen this with Nerites and Limpets, both live in tidal areas quite often.

 

It's actually a margarita. I don't think a lack of food is a problem in that tank, although I wish it was. I've seen them go some strange places, but I was amazed that it made it all the way over the plastic edges like that!

 

One of mine did that too, it crawled up and out on the power head cord. They are tidal creatures, so they are used to shallow waters. They will retract completely into the shell to the point where they look like it's an empty shell, to retain their moisture, as the others have said. Just don't step on them if they land on the floor. Mine usually go to the top of the tank at night through the morning. I tend to see them hang out of the water if the pH is off. Mine don't seem to mind the 10ppm NO3 or SG fluctuations with evaps.

 

You should have seen the nerites I had. They would be walking all over my floor

 

Wow. All of my snails have stayed in the tank so far. I know snails and limpets leave the water sometimes, but not like that.