Roman Snails

[OllieC]

I found one in the wild today, just past a field of Cowslips... I have a picture on my phone but haven't got a way of getting it onto here. Has anyone else ever spotted one of these in the wild?

Edited to add, I have got the photo's on here...

The Cowslip followed by the snail... that's my hand, not Annabelle's, so you can see the scale!

[OllieC]

[saddad]

Only when on holiday in France...  :)

[Hyacinth]

someone's latest must-have  'pet' now discarded perhaps?....or an escapee...I've not Googled them, but I'm a bit concerned :-\

[saddad]

They were in a drainage ditch alongside a "veg plot" apparently they are detritus feeders and didn't damage the growing crops...  :-\

[Robert_Brenchley]

They're considered a 'native' species, but as there's no fossil evidence for them, they may have been introduced by the Romans. They aren't common, and do little harm, but I haven't been able to find out where in the country they're likely to be found.

[Hyacinth]

Thanks for the info - very reassuring. I'd a horrible thought that something quite detrimental had been introduced...remember Ninja turtles, anyone ???

Seeing Ol's picture, tho, reminded me that not too many weeks ago the young daughter of a client wanted one for a new pet - WHY?! :-\

[OllieC]

I think it's very pretty... I had Giant African Land Snails as a pet when I was a child - they eat an amazing amount of lettuce. I used to scrounge the ones heading for the bin at the fruit & veg shop. My mother discovered they were all perfectly good in the middle so we had free lettuce for a few years until... one day as a result of thermostat failure they were all slowly baked.

RIP snails.

[saddad]

Pass the Mayo....  ::)

[Trixiebelle]

THE ROMANS! WHAT HAVE THEY EVER DONE FOR US .........  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaE3EaQte78

[Robert_Brenchley]

Nothing. The occupation was long, nasty, brutish and poor. You'll be glad to hear that this was a rebellious province which needed three legions (very few had that many) to keep it in order. They can take their d**n ground elder as well.