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 forcalcium, 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!
Confessed Snail Lover
Learn more about snails: books on Amazon
Life of the Snail (Nature Watch)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) 
Slugs and Snails (Minipets Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Land Snails of Brit & Nw Europe (Collins Field Guide)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Dead Snails Leave No Trails: Natural Pest Control for Home and Garden
Amazon Price: $10.16 (as of 07/06/2009)
Snail links
- 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
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
How fast is a snail's pace? Watch these videos and see for yourself.
Apple Snail Territory
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)
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)
List Price:
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)
List Price:
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)
List Price:
Home is where the Snails are
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)
Escal Canned Burgundy Escargot - Escargots de Bourgogne 3 Dozen
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Snail/Escargot Dish with Handle by BIA Cordon Bleu
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
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)
Escargot serving dishes on Ebay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySnails 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)
Snail Orders Escargot - 15oz Mug
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
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)
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)
Photos of Snails on Flicker
1.
(snail on palmtree) With a special smile to
Tiny snail in the Red Hot Poker flowers.
Mientras caminaba proximo a un antiguo abrevadero en Pis%uFFFDn de Castrej%uFFFDn (Palen...
Snail evading morning sunlight at Bargara, near Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
The natural texture on this snail shell is looking cryptographic, isn't it?
If you are following my photostream you remember Mr Snail was climbing the brick...
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
Thursday night I ran across a little snail again. This time, I took full advanta...
Snails Rock!
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)
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)
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.
Kids love snails too
TY Beanie Babies Gary the Snail - SpongeBob SquarePants
Amazon Price: $7.07 (as of 07/06/2009)
Are You a Snail? (Backyard Books)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
SWIRLY The snail Ty Beanie baby
Amazon Price: $2.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
Plush Snail Puppet 12"
Amazon Price: $12.52 (as of 07/06/2009)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Snail Charm by Rembrandt Charms
Snail Charm by Rembrandt Charms - 5/8" wide
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Tiny Sterling Silver Snail Stud Earrings
Amazon Price: $7.65 (as of 07/06/2009)
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)
Do you talk snail?
jasmineann wrote...
Love your cool snail lens! Very informative. Your work and effort shows. Nice style :) A 5 star lens!
Posted 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.
Posted 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
Posted 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/
Posted 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? ;)
Posted October 31, 2007
InvoluntaryGypsy wrote...
I tried escargot. It was pretty good, actually. Fantastic lens, by the way.
Posted 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!!)
Posted October 31, 2007
