can snails walk backwards

[belmont0182]

So i bought a new snail today that is about 1 inch in diameter to clean up my two gallon, i am really impressed by it and think that its really cool. the problem is that there is this one spot that the snail can get wedged into, if he does get wedged can he walk backwards to get out?

[Cearbhaill]

Interesting question!
Even if they can't walk backwards (I have no idea!) they can always let go and just drift away from the tight spot.
I think he'll be fine.

[Tim Bo]

Don't recall seeing that question before. My answer is yes...though the sliding method (moonwalk :)) must be one of their more acrobatic additions. Apple snails definitely do it.

[belmont0182]

thanks guys, one more question.

now hes at the top of the tank by the water line, hes been there for awhile, will he find his own way down or should i put him down there?

[belmont0182]

ok one more, i pulled him off and let him go, but then he floated all over, can he swim or what? i know that hes not dead cause i can see him trying to grap the sides of the tank.

[Tim Bo]

I'm a liitle unclear of what type snail you have but in general the snails don't need help and will figure it out. They will float at the surface if they have enough oxygen under the shell, small snails can get 'stuck' to the surface due to their light weight and general sufrace tention. You might want to aid it by pushing it over to the side of the tank where it can attatch to the glass.

[belmont0182]

i dont really know what kind i bought either...its is anout 1 inch in diameter, how can i get the air out of his shell? or is this something that he has to do on his own?

[elvis]

I hope you were real careful pulling him off the glass. That can hurt them and you wont know it, unfortunatly. Hopefully its only air trapped under his little valve. Sorry to say, but any of my snails that started floating were dying. P.S. Sometimes they climb the walls above the surface of the water, as long as they cant fall out usually they go back into the water shortly.

[Aquarius0015]

It sounds like an apple snail, also sold as black/gold/ivory mystery snails. They have the ability to float for long periods of time. Also, they can breathe air, which would explain the time spent at the surface. They can even tolerate being aout of water for short periods of time. I wouldn't worry about it.

Check out www.applesnail.net

[RTR]

I agree that it is most likely an Apple snail, and is an air-breather. But so are ramshorn snails, and they too spend considerable time at the surface, walking upside down on the underside of the water meniscus. Neither of these snails need any help it this situation, it is full normal for them.

[belmont0182]

the reason that i moved my snail is cause it appeared stuck behind the heater, i thought that it couldnt get down