ponds and snails

[bigwig]

Does anyone know how old snails have to be to reproduce ? I was intriqued this afternoon by 2 tiny babies locked into what looked like a very passionate embrace These babies are only around 6-8 weeks old.

Also, now that winter is to too far away I am wondering about how the snails will fair during the cold months. Is there anything I need to do for them, ie like a heater ? I know fish have these sometimes. Do I need to leave the pumps running ? I was thinking that with all the bad winter weather the pumps would not be needed ? Will the snails need any extra food and if so what do I feed them ? Thnx in advance

[bigwig]

**** bump **** all these people looked and no-one got any information to share ????

[Dogghound]

6-8 weeks seems a little young, aslong as the pond is not really shallow they will go down to the bottom and overwinter in debris or in cracks etc, they should have enough food in a developed pond.

[bigwig]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

6-8 weeks seems a little young, aslong as the pond is not really shallow they will go down to the bottom and overwinter in debris or in cracks etc, they should have enough food in a developed pond.

Thnx. The pond is about 18 inches deep - is that deep enough ?

[Dogghound]

Yes its deep enough for snails to overwinter in.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

Snails love floating fish food, flake is good but doesn't float too long, small fish food pellets, [ they sell them in the pound or 99p shops] they'll gallop from all over for.

We've had greater pond snails and ramshorn in our pond, [20 yrs established] but they don't last long with shells so thin you can't pick them up, any ideas anyone ?.

Max.

[Dogghound]

It sounds like your snails have some sort of calcium deficiency. A few possibilities i can think of is they are lacking in their diet (which is unlikely), the water conditions (which in an established pond is unlikely), they have a disease or some chemical is entering the pond (both would cause this) or your snails gene pool may be wareing a little thin and perhaps reintroducting some new individuals to the pond my help breeding some healthier individuals.

[bigwig]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi,

Snails love floating fish food, flake is good but doesn't float too long, small fish food pellets, [ they sell them in the pound or 99p shops] they'll gallop from all over for.

We've had greater pond snails and ramshorn in our pond, [20 yrs established] but they don't last long with shells so thin you can't pick them up, any ideas anyone ?.

Max.

I read somewhere on the internet that you can buy a ' snail conditioner ' , which contains calcium and various other minerals and is reputed to help strengthen their shells. I cannot remember the site name, but I guess if you do a search you will find it. Sorry, cannot be of more help as a complete novice when it comes to pond keeping - we have only had ours for 3 months.

[chocolatechip]

i've had my pond for about three weeks now, and appear to have a thriving population of beautiful pond snails...

how would these have got here? they are black with gold speckles and a cone shape.. they are very speedy and seem to be enjoying themselves??

[bigwig]

Originally Posted by chocolatechip

i've had my pond for about three weeks now, and appear to have a thriving population of beautiful pond snails...

how would these have got here? they are black with gold speckles and a cone shape.. they are very speedy and seem to be enjoying themselves??

They sound lovely - I think I may have to come and steal a few !! Most of mine are a greyish brown colour, apart from Blue - so named because of his beautiful blueish patterned shell. Are your snails conical or curly shelled ?

Snail eggs can come in on plants that you buy for the pond, especially it seems oxygenators. Also, if you added a bucket of sludge form an existing pond when you set up your pond there would have most likely been snails or eggs in it. They are indeed quite speedy and also very graceful ( in my opinion ). I don't know how intelligent snails are reputed to be or not be, but mine seem to recognise my hand when I pick them up and have no fear of me as they will crawl about on my hand.