Awkward Question About Mystery Snail

[Bluesand1313]

This, although none of you know me, is a very awkward question indeed. I have two mystery snails. Both are boys. Both in seperate tanks and both with bettas. Reggie is the biggest one. He is almost the size of a ... Hmmm... About a third the size of a baseball. Grover is the size of a penny. I had finished feeding Ranger and Grover, and had moved on to Nira and Reggie's tank. I saw something waving and, from my curiosity, looked inside to see what it was. My first reaction was "what the heck is that?" My second reaction was "do I have a pest attacking my snail?" All these are ridiculous, but my only logical explanation is a bit as well. I realized it was my snails... Thing.. And was he.. Masterbating? its not uncommon to know that animals do this, though you don't SEE it often
But.. My snail? Or is he just.. Idk.. In some sort of mode or.. ?

 

[Bluesand1313]

Awkardly bumping this awkward topic awkwardly .-.

 

[fluttermoth]

Are you sure it was his penis, and not his syphon?

I can't imagine snails masturbate in any way, it's probably just getting ready to mate. Nothing to worry about, either way

 

[Bluesand1313]

Well, thank you for replying. :3

since I like to tell which gender my animals are (So I can name them, of course) I think it was...

Alright, as long as there is nothing to worry about. It freaked me out quite a bit, both ways, haha.

 

[grayshark1956]

Well, thank you for replying. :3

since I like to tell which gender my animals are (So I can name them, of course) I think it was...

Alright, as long as there is nothing to worry about. It freaked me out quite a bit, both ways, haha.

If your snail was really doing this I know why....he.has been around my husband! (laughing) Even I can't stand it and I leave the room! I often go shopping and hope when I return he is doing something else. All the more reason to treat myself. I always manage to find something I like whether its a household item, clothes, or something tasty from the bakery.

 

[KCB]

I thought snails were hermaphrodites? Correct me if I'm wrong . If it's true then you might have to think of some unisex names .

 

[Essjay]

It depends on the species.

Some are hermaphrodites, but they still need two individuals to produce eggs - that is, they can't fertise their own eggs.

The rest have separate sexes, and the eggs have to be fertilised by a male - though some females, such as apple snails females, can store sperm like livebearing fish.

Then there's mts. They exist as male and female snails, but the females can reproduce by parthenogenesis. The eggs don't need to be fertilised, and the baby snails are identical to their mother. This is how you can end up with a tank full of them from one snail. These snails also give birth to live babies, they don't lay eggs.

 

[HAMBONE]

Are you sure it was his penis, and not his syphon?

I can't imagine snails masturbate in any way, it's probably just getting ready to mate. Nothing to worry about, either way

I have read in a number of publications that snails are known to biologists to be in fact, excessive masturbaters.. just saying..