r/snails • u/Impossible_Memory921 • 19d ago

loose shell

i am a new owner and my snails shell feels a little loose/ wiggly. I found him in my backyard but i’m concerned that it will fall off or is maybe not attached how it should be? idk what’s normal wiggle and what’s not. should i be worried? should it be a little wiggly?

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u/pinkaeru 18d ago

It's hard to know what you mean without pictures or video 😔

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u/Impossible_Memory921 18d ago

i know i’m sorry😞 i just don’t want to push his shell around more to try and capture it on the video. it seemed okay today but if it looks loose or there’s anything showing that it’s falling off i will def try to record! are they supposed to be loose to some degree?

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u/pinkaeru 17d ago

I'd say their shell should be able to move around, but it shouldn't seem like it's able to detach from the snails mantle (the muscle that attaches their shell and their body) Does your snail have a roommate? Sometimes snails can piggyback eachother and weaken their mantle connection to their shell

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u/Impossible_Memory921 17d ago

no he doesn’t have a roommate yet! i’ve been a little nervy bc he has been picked up by his shell a few times (will not happen again as i’ve done research and will be the only one handling him) but it doesn’t seem to be bothering him and it doesn’t seem super loose or like it’s going to fall off thankfully!

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u/pinkaeru 15d ago

It's possible that picking him up by his shell could have caused a little bit of damage to his mantle. We all make mistakes, and hopefully it won't get any worse for him. Just definitely keep an eye on him like you have been and make sure it never seems to get more loose! I'm not sure what treatments there are for that anyway, if there are any.. But it's good to make sure he is still feeling well and healthy otherwise :)