A potentially silly question about snails

[mandimoron]

Just this weekend I acquired a handful of little brigs, courtesy of one MQP. I think they're really neat little dudes! They're always out and about, and the smaller ones seem to enjoy playing King of the Castle on the biggest snail: they crawl on to his back and try and knock each other off-- a game made all the more amusing because it all happens in slow motion. :D When the snails aren't piling on top of each other, they like to go for leisurely walks (or perhaps, slimes? O_o) along the tank walls. At first I was delighted to see them being so active, but I've noticed that they frequently climb up above the water line and hang out there for a few minutes before letting go of the wall and diving back in. Is that normal snaily behaviour? I hope they're not making feeble attempts at suicide or something stupid! :confused:

[rosita]

Well, my only snail knowledge comes from a few months' observation of my mystery snail. I have found that he will often be at the waterline of my 10g, and just leap for it (in slow motion, of course!!) The first couple of times I kinda worried, but as he continued the behavior we all just watched!! I think maybe it's just the rush they're going for, or they're just lazy. Don't think it's snailicide. They seem to be pretty tough!!! That's my 2 cents worth!
:dance2:

[mandimoron]

They really do seem to enjoy doing it! I swear they try to land on each other sometimes, though. They wait until someone is underneath them, and then, with a mighty cry of "BANZAI!" drop on them! Or at least that's how I picture it. >_>

Anyway, it's not so much the way they recklessly fling themselves off the glass that worries me as their adventures out of the water. I keep trying to tell them that they're aquatic and that means they belong under the water, but they don't listen very well. *pout*

(My mom thinks I imbue my pets with far too much personality. Maybe she's right. Hah.)

[rosita]

LOL I'm guilty of anthropomorphizing ALL my "animals"--they're my kids!! I've noticed Turbo hangs out around the top sometimes, too--maybe it's their version of going to the spa!! Or just a little different sump-hn sump-hn. You know, change up the environment!! Yah, and when he aims for one of the dwarf gourami and gets him---waahaahaaa. Poor thing doesn't know what to do! I can just see him, po'd, looking at that snail and thinking, man, I can't do a thing to him--tried nibbling parts when he's asleep but the bugger hides it all! Can't knock him around like the runt cuz he's too big!! Ratss!! :rant2: