Snails

[ideasguy]

No shortage of chat while gardening on the afternoons we look after our little grandson.
Out in the garden yesterday with James, he stumped me with one of his many questions.

He knows all about snails at this stage and how they eat papas nice flowers. He picked up this empty snail shell and asked:
Where did the snail go?

I was stumped, so we had a chat about the possibilities. I said perhaps it was away on holidays, so we had a giggle about that.
Then he came up with his suggestion.

So, challenge/giggle of today, what did he say?

P.S. Where DID the snail go? I dont know the answer!

[Palustris]

I cannot answer the child's answer for you, brain dead this mornng, but I can give some serious answers to the missing snail body. The blue black ground beetle eats snails and leaves the empty shell behind. Thrushes and hedgehogs damage the shell to get at the flesh. Nematode worms dissolve the flesh and leave an empty shell. Dehydration leaves an empty shell too.

[NightHawk]

I suspect that the most likely cause is to be predation (as Eric hinted at in his posting just before I posted  ).

I found this website about Snail Predators that may be of use.

Laurie.

[ideasguy]

Great article there Laurie.
I read a poster in the vets that dogs can get worms from eating snails.

[roiphil]

So, challenge/giggle of today, what did he say?

P.S. Where DID the snail go? I dont know the answer!

What did he say, Papa are slugs, snails but with no houses 

[newplantguy]

I think he said is it a slug or perhaps it's moved house.
Great article Laurie about the snail predators.
They have some not very nice water Snails in Egypt.
Paul.

[roiphil]

Great article there Laurie.
I read a poster in the vets that dogs can get worms from eating snails.

apparently true i have noticed some tv adverts pointing this out aswell

[Palustris]

Bilhartzia eh? Liver flukes to you!

[ideasguy]

RE:

...perhaps it's moved house

Well done Paul!
Thats pretty close...