Went to Brixton Market yesterday, a slight detour while on holiday in london. I purchased two snails from a stall. I'm not sure of the species, but they may be Achatina achatina, as they don't have the pinkish ends of marginata and they are too big to be fulicas. I'll weigh and measure them this evening, but for now, they are settled in a 2 foot tank, quarantined from the rest of the snails until I'm satisfied that they are parasite-free. I have named them Neelix and Kes. Kes, however, appears to have some scar tissue. See photo here. I'm not entirely sure what this is, and although I at first thought it could be a spermatophore, I remain unconvinced. It warrants observation, and I think I'll take some digital photos to document any changes. Both of the snails were found in the Granville Arcade of the market, in a basket with some 50 other snails of roughly the same size. I picked two that were large and estivating, as I assumed that any damage incurred during transportation would be minimal if the snails had been dormant. They seem happy and healthy, and are eating like horses, and aside from some minor shell damage to the lip, they are in one piece!
June 12th, 2004
Went hunting again today. Got 3 Cepaea hortensis, all 5-banded, but one with only one posterior tentacle! I also found 3 strawberry, one roman and one hairy snail, all in seemingly good health. I have them in a small tank at the moment, and they seem to be taking well to their new surroundings. I have enlisted the help of a wildlife illustrator to document the finds..
June 11th, 2004
Went hunting for Cepaea hortensis and Cepaea nemoralis in the woods along the Beacon Way yesterday. It was hot and dry, although it had showered the night before. I found one C. hortensis whom I have named Fred. Will attempt to find him some comanions soon.
June 8th, 2004
My new snails arrived the today, but instead of being 3 Achatina achatina, there are 2 Achatina fulica and what I believe is 1 Achatina achatina. I have called the supplier and they are attempting to rectify the problem by sending me some adult tiger snails, but I have a feeling that it may take some time! The babies seem to have settled down and have travelled extremely well. I have put them in the 2-foot terrarium with Joey and Pacey for the time being. I'm goint to put their pictures up in the gallery next week. They're going to have to come to London with me next week. I'm planning on a trip to Brixton market. I'm told that there is a limited possibilty of acquiring some snails (alive) from the food stalls there, although I imagine the condition, if they are alive, will be poor. I can at least try to liberate a few. Hope I can get some margies to breed.
