My snails have been making a layer of... something(?) around the entrance to their shells. I don't know what it is. They remain in their shells until I remove the layer, which is really bothering me.
Can someone identify the stuff and tell me how to prevent it? Thanks!
This is totally normal. It's dried up slime to conserve moisture. The snails will hibernate in this. My snails are hibernating too right now, but I wake them up once a week to feed them. To remove it just use a toothpick; BE REALLY CAREFUL they are often just right under this layer and won't like being poked.
These are milk snails! commonly found in Texas, originating from the Mediterranean, and North Africa! They enjoy warm climates, lots of soil to dig in, hiding spots such as logs, rocks, and bark. When too cold, they create a seal and go into a deep sleep! The seal allows their heart rate to decrease and holds a steady temperature to keep from dying. Your snails may benefit from a heating pad! I often use like warm water when spraying their terrarium, and leave them in sunlight, while they will hide from direct sunlight they need the warmth. Hope this helps!
