Snail Talk

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 6 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #6,163 in Animals, #161,343 overall

Let me introduce myself

I am two years old, and stand 1-3/8" high.  I travel 50 yards per hour and 6-10 times a year I spend several hours mating.  My species, Helix aspersa, also known as the Brown Garden Snail and European Brown Snail, is one of the most common of the 40,000 land-based snails and slugs.  My ancestors emigrated from Europe to California in the 1850s.  They were first mentioned in scientific literature in 1774.  They resided in Italy, then.  It was probably great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great Uncle Oscar & his brood.

Born wearing a shell 

 


My shell is made of calcium carbonate. It protects my heart, lung, kidney & intestines, and is also my house. I did not find it and crawl inside; I was born with it. Human embryos make teeth and nails; snail embryos make shells.
My shell has 3 layers, the hypostracum on the inside, ostracum in the middle and periostracum on the exterior.

Snail parts 

My favorite foods 

Who says lettuce is reserved for humans?

I'm not a fussy eater.  Most any vegetable or fruit suits me.  And there is nothing more lip-smacking good than a succulent young Hosta shoot.  Love those old specimen plants but can take or leave Aden's concoctions.  Invincible is purely loathsome from a snails point of view.

Turn about is fair play 

My dinner preferences annoy the greedy humans to no end, which is absurd. 
I eat so little!  True, slime trails have detractors, and humans get fussed about holes in their produce.  If I could nibble the edges like a rabbit, I would.  Or maybe not.  Sharing their lettuce is the least humans can do, considering that they eat snails as party niblets!


Reportedly, I am nutritious.  Rich in vitamins B1 & E, calcium,
protein and amino acids, low in fat, etc.   Hah!  That's
because in addition to vegetables and fruit I consume other yummies like rodent scat, rotting things, poisonous leaves, bark, etc.  All of which means I sometimes carry a parasite that can cause a rare type of meningitis.

So before you run out into your back yard with a fork and plate, be advised that before you eat a snail, it must be purged of everything it has eaten (done by a series of gruesome starving and cereal gluts) and thoroughly cooked.


In France my cooked relatives are called Escargot, in Portugal
they're caracóis and feijoada de caracóis and in
Spain caracoles (arroz con conejo y caracoles if combined with
rice and rabbit).  In Sicily they're known as babbaluci, in
Catalonia they're caragols and in Malta, bebbux
Elsewhere's they're abalone, queen conch, periwinkle, tsalingaria, ass's ear,
sea-ear, ormer, paua. 

Without a second thought, humans boil, broil, steam and can my kin, then garnish them with butter, smelly garlic, tomatoes, parsley and oregano. And they gripe because I eat a few oranges?!

Not much of a family man 

Sorry, just not my thing

Pictured at left is one of my 6 mates last year. During an afternoon of sex, we impregnated each other. A few days later we each dug a 1-1/2" deep hole to hold about 80 couscous-sized white eggs.  No telling how many survived. Some probably didn't make it out of the egg. As a newborn, Jonesing for
calcium, I first ate the shell I hatched from, then the shells of some unhatched siblings. First out, first fed, I always say.  At least I don't live where the Decollate snail posses have been turned loose to eat youngsters.
Scientific discussion of snail eggs.

Everybody's out to get me! 

It's not bad enough to have snakes, beetles, turtles, birds, ducks, toads, chickens, badgets, fox and frogs watching my every move, there's also the blasted humans. If they're not trying to eat me, they're setting traps, making barriers, putting out poison bait ... it's a war zone out there, with tricksters around every corner, and most of them walk upright!

Learn more about snails: books on Amazon 

Life of the Snail (Nature Watch)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Slugs and Snails (Minipets Series)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Land Snails of Brit & Nw Europe (Collins Field Guide)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Dead Snails Leave No Trails: Natural Pest Control for Home and Garden

Amazon Price: $10.16 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Snail links 

Interesting places to visit when you're feeling snaily
Snail poems
Poetry by Andrew Roberts
Cupid origins traced to snails?
Courting snails fire "love darts" at one another in a mating procedure that may even have inspired the legend of Cupid, according to Canadian...
Ridin the Bird
Tristania snails travel 5,500 miles
Cone snails have killed 30 people
Lethal snails?
PetSnails.co.UK
Great Q&A site on the African land snail

Home is where the Giant African snail is 

Live Snails on Ebay 

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How fast is a snail's pace? Watch these videos and see for yourself. 


Zombie snails

Runtime: 1:21
1664327 views
10 Comments:


Oahu Tree Snails

Runtime: 4:02
12958 views
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Snailblogging 

JournOwl- Wildlife news, Wildlife conservation » Mollusks: Out of ...
But as oysters grab their 15 minutes of media fame, the decline of other mollusks has gone and conti...
3 Southeastern mollusks proposed for protection
The federal government has proposed three mollusks found in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee waters fo...
3 Southeastern mollusks proposed for protection
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) ? The federal government has proposed three mollusks found in Alabama, Georgia...
Pescadero Memories » John Vonderlin: Whale Fall
Below the silhouettes, the bones of the fossil whale skeleton are shown as they were found in 1987....

 

Escargot to your door, ready to heat & eat 

Fly in frozen Escargot from France or stuff your own

Escargot Achatine in Puff Pastry - Frozen - 1 x 5.0 oz

They'll arrive frozen and can be kept in your freezer for up to 3 months.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price:

Escargot Achatine a la Bourguignonne - Frozen - 1 x 4.25 oz (12 count)

French cuisine at your very fingertips. Escargots in shells with garlic butter a la bourguignonne. Just drop them in the oven and enjoy. Ingredients: Achatines (Achatina Fullica) snails, butter, parsley, garlic, shallots, salt, pepper. "

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
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Escal Burgundy Snails Extra Large 1 1/2 dozen 125 g 4.4 oz can

Of the 116 edible species of snails, Helix pomatia are considered the best, and the ones harvested in Burgundy are the most popular among gourmets. These already cooked snails are quite easy to prepare: just bake them in a beurre d'escargot, also called beurre à la bourguignonne (butter, shallots, parsley, and garlic). The Escal snails are extra large (18 snails per 125g can).

Amazon Price: $7.20 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
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Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Escargot Helix - 24 Very Large - 1 x 7.0 oz (24 count)

"Also known as escargots de Bourgogne, you will typically find these little ones nestled in their own shell and smothered in garlic butter at Parisian bistros."

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
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Escargot items for Do-it-yourselfers 

Empty Escargot Shells

These empty shells are ready to be filled with your favorite Escargot recipe.

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Snail/Escargot Dish with Handle by BIA Cordon Bleu

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Escargot Dish

6" winter white serving dish that goes from the freezer to the oven or microwave and is dishwasher safe.butter.

Amazon Price: $6.00 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Escargot serving dishes on Ebay 

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Snails on display! 

Snail Outside Thermometer

This weathered-looking aluminum snail totes a thermometer. Just stick the prongs in the ground to hold it upright. The gauge is protected by tempered glass. Big enough that you may be able to see it when looking out the window.
14.5" x 14.5"

Amazon Price: $35.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Snail Orders Escargot - 15oz Mug

Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Art Poster Print - Seymour The Snail - Artist: Pam Staples - Poster Size: 14 X 14 inches

14" X 14" Art by Pam Staples

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

SNAIL TRINKET BOX - JEWELED SNAIL TRINKET BOX

Pretty trinket box shaped as a snail, made by Godinger

Amazon Price: $48.59 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Photos of Snails on Flicker 

My Snails ;-) by guckstdu

1.

snail fan by Rosina

(snail on palmtree) With a special smile to

Snail Hideaway by chrissie2003

Tiny snail in the Red Hot Poker flowers.

Caracol - Snail by Anselmo Herranz

Mientras caminaba proximo a un antiguo abrevadero en Pis%uFFFDn de Castrej%uFFFDn (Palen...

Bundy snail by Mangiwau

Snail evading morning sunlight at Bargara, near Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia

Macro of a Snail Shell by Barbara Stock

The natural texture on this snail shell is looking cryptographic, isn't it?

Mr Snail  Did it!! by WTL photos

If you are following my photostream you remember Mr Snail was climbing the brick...

at a snail's gallop by xenonb.

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

Curious Little Snail by Dave Ward Photography

Thursday night I ran across a little snail again. This time, I took full advanta...

More fun snail items to enjoy 

Glass Snail Sculpture Blue & Pink Sommerso Lovely 100% Handblown Art X1455

Made of hand blown glass. 9" x 6"

Amazon Price: $54.00 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $180.00

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Kay Home Products 14301 Solid Brass Snail Sundial

# Solid-brass construction
# Brass will age to rich patina
8 x 6 x 4 inches

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $24.00

Usually ships in 24 hours

What do you think about snails? 

Here's your chance to express yourself on this hot topic.

Escargo-go-go! Yum!

2 points

Oh, yuck! Wouldn't eat one on a bet.

1 point

Fascinating creatures, never met one I didn't like

1 point

Snails make great pets.

1 point

Squish 'em, smack 'em, every one.

0 points

Kids love snails too 

TY Beanie Babies Gary the Snail - SpongeBob SquarePants

Amazon Price: $7.07 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Are You a Snail? (Backyard Books)

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

SWIRLY The snail Ty Beanie baby

Amazon Price: $2.95 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Snails Pace race

Game of racing snails

Amazon Price: $20.27 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Plush Snail Puppet 12"

Amazon Price: $12.52 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Alice Wannabe - Refrigerator magnet features Victorian girl with giant snail 

Snails around the house 

K F K Products Floating Snail - 6"

Big poly snail to float in the pool or adorn a garden

Amazon Price: $5.08 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Solar Snail

Snail-shaped solar light for garden or walkway. Glows with amber LED illumination at night after charging during day. Sensor automatically turns light on at dusk, and off at dawn. Made of poly resin with a weatherproof finish and UV treatment. 5-1/2Hx7-1/2Wx7-1/2L"

Amazon Price: $30.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Jeweled Tiffany Style Snail Accent Lamp

Bronze finish body. In-line on/off switch. Uses one 7 watt night light bulb (included). Measures 3 3/8" wide, 5 1/2" high

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Copper Snail Garden Sculpture & Stake

Copper Snail Garden Sculpture & Stake
* Made entirely of copper with a "aged" patina
* Glossy UV-reisistant finish
* 16"x 8" and includes a 36" copper stake

Amazon Price: $43.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Snails as Adornment 

Sterling Silver Snail Charm, Made in Italy. almost 7/16" (11mm) Tall not including the bail.

Lightweight, hollow sterling silver charm, made in Italy.

Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Snail Charm by Rembrandt Charms

Snail Charm by Rembrandt Charms - 5/8" wide

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Tiny Sterling Silver Snail Stud Earrings

Amazon Price: $7.65 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Multi Colored Sea Snail Animal Pin Brooch

A gold tone multi-colored sea snail, with an interesting shell, brooch. Crafted and authenticated by Pugster Inc.

Amazon Price: $53.98 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Do you talk snail? 

jasmineann wrote...

Love your cool snail lens! Very informative. Your work and effort shows. Nice style :) A 5 star lens!

ReplyPosted November 16, 2007

Mickmac wrote...

Great Lens, Although I have no interest in snails, I read the whole lens, from start to finish. You must be doing something right.

ReplyPosted November 03, 2007

squidfun wrote...

All Things Michigan, I LOVE your Freaks and Geeks lens. What a great show it was.
http://www.squidoo.com/freaks-and-geeks

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007

Home-Business-Marketer wrote...

Your lens is really looking great. Keep up the good work. 5 stars from me.
http://www.squidoo.com/workfromhomebusinesssuccesstips/

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007

AllThingsMichigan wrote...

Excellent lens! You can tell that a TON of work went into this. Did you research snails or are you just a snail expert? ;)

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007

InvoluntaryGypsy wrote...

I tried escargot. It was pretty good, actually. Fantastic lens, by the way.

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007

Mr-Salesmanship wrote...

Very nice lens, keep up the good work!

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007

SusanVillasLewis wrote...

Awesome job, particularly with the graphics. I also like the first-snail perspective of the writing. Great lens! (And escargot are yummy to the max!!)

ReplyPosted October 31, 2007