How to Play with a Pet Snail

Snails are popular pets that are big hits with kids. However, snails are gentle and delicate creatures that need to be handled with care and respect, even during mutually enjoyable play. Have as much fun with snails as they have with you by taking proper precautions before handling them and treating them with respect.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Spray Bottle
• Water
• Snail food

1. Wash your hands with mild soap free of harsh chemicals or detergents that may harm your snail.
2. Fill a spray bottle with tepid water.
3. Wet your hands with the spray bottle.
   
   
   
   
4. Spray your snail and the surface to which it is clinging with water to loosen its hold on the surface.
5. Slide your wet finger under your snail’s head and gently coax the snail to let go of the surface. Instead of forcing or pulling a stubborn snail off of a surface, gently support its head with one finger while running another finger down its body to unstick it from the surface.
6. Let your snail crawl along your wet palm.
7. Place bits of food on your wet palm or arm and watch as your snail crawls along, retrieves the food and explores its surroundings.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wash your hands before and after handling snails.
• Never yank, tug or pull on any part of a snail’s body or shell. All parts of a snail, especially the shell opening closest to its head, are delicate. Snails do not have defense mechanisms to warn you that your handling is too rough for them.
• Avoid hand lotions, perfumes and other chemical solutions when handling your snail.