Tree hugging snails Part 2

Dadzinsky · #1 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 01:30 PM

An update, I went back to the site early this morning, and tried to take more notice, the snails are primarily on the south faces of the tree's, but not 100%, there are quiet a lot of empty shells amongst the leaf litter, you can actually hear them crunching as you walk, looking at the tree's where they are, you can see marks where they have been (like limpet marks) and also shiny bark surfaces surrounding them, the site is on a small 'island' of copse, seperated by a road on one side, and a lay-by the other, I could find no snails off the island, and there were definitely none on tree's off the island. The island is sort of diamond shape, and they were more abundant in the wide centre part, fading to none at the tips. I have marked a dozen or so with permanent marker, and will get back next weekend to see if they have moved.

Hedge Witch · #2 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 01:42 PM

Crikey, they make a weird sight.

Aestivating snails seem to climb up high like this in my garden and close off their "opening" to prevent moisture loss. I can guess why they go high up. I assume they would be slow to react to rain whist in this state, and rain could drown them, hence they "think ahead". I have no idea if this is the case though.

Dadzinsky · #3 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 05:17 PM

Where this little copse is, is still fairly open to the elements, certainly a lot better 'protected' tress nearby.

tameblackbirds · #4 (**permalink**) 15-02-2009, 07:02 PM

Going back to how I find snails in my garden under and behind old roof slates, there does not appear to be any other kind of dry hard surface for the snails to shelter under looking at your images. Leaf litter is not protective enough. I think that because they close off when they shelter they need a relatively dry solid place to do this, hence moving up the trees. An idea anyway.