evenn more snail questions

[bigwig]

been reading up on the Greater Pond Snail ( which we have in our ponds ) and it would appear that there are male and female sexes ? The people in my local aquatic centre told me that snails are hermaphrodites ( sp ? ). So, is it possible to tell male and female apart ?. Also,how long is the average lifespan ? I have been told, too that I should buy a ' shell conditioner ' for my snails - hmmmmm, not sure if this is true . Apparently, their shells can become brittle and you just pour this stuff into the water. Maybe I could take the adults out and polish their shells as well with a nice, soft cloth .

[bugbotherer]

Lymnaea stagnalis is a pulmonate snail and hermaphroditic, so the book needs some molluscs awareness and the centre is on the right lines. In my experience it's generally those snails with an operculum (hinged lid that covers the shell opening when the snail retracts) that have both sexes. I've kept L.stagnalis in culture and the oldest was 3 years old when she/he slipped away