Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Making it safe to play
• Part 2 of 4: Picking up your snail
• Part 3 of 4: Communicating with your snail
• Part 4 of 4: Taking care of the snail after playing

Snails make great pets. Not only do they look cool, but they are easy to care for and are cute in their own way. However, keeping a snail presents certain challenges. In contrast to popular pets such as dogs, cats, hamsters and rabbits, snails are difficult to deal with. Therefore, you may not know how to play with your snail friend. However, with a little knowledge and effort, you will soon be able to start playing with your snail.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Making it safe to play

1. Wash your hands. The very first thing to do is wash your hands. Washing your hands ensures that your snail and its terrarium do not become contaminated with bacteria and chemicals.
   • Use antibacterial soap.
   • Use warm water.
   • Make sure to rinse your hands thoroughly to remove any soap residue.
2. Shield your play area. Before you start playing with your snail, make sure the room you are in is safe and prepared for your snail. Providing a safe room will protect your snail's life and make playing fun for both of you.
   • Remove all other pets (especially dogs and cats) from the room. Dogs and cats can think of the snail as a toy or food.
   • Tell other people what you are going to do so that they don't disturb you.
   • Turn off loud music and the television. This is important for the snail and to make sure you can concentrate so you don't get distracted while playing.
3. Play with your snail at night. Evening is the best time to play with your snail. This is because most snails are active at night and sleep during the day. If you try to play with your snail during the day, it probably won't do that much and may retire to its shell.
   • The best time to play with your snail is probably between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, depending on your daily schedule.

Part 2 of 4: Picking up your snail

1. Let the snail crawl onto your hand itself. The best way to pick up your snail is to let it crawl onto your hand itself. This is by far the safest way to handle a snail. Picking up a snail by its shell or body can damage the shell and injure the snail.
   • Place your hand flat on the bottom of the terrarium near your snail.
   • Move your hand very slowly towards the snail.
   • Let the snail crawl onto your hand.
2. Lift your hand slowly. You can slowly lift your hand from the terrarium when the snail has crawled onto your hand. Make sure to raise your hand slowly so that the snail doesn't startle or you drop it.
   • After removing your snail from the terrarium, slowly move your hand towards a table top.
   • Place your hand flat on the surface of the table and let your snail crawl across the table.
   • Make sure the table doesn't shake or move your hand suddenly.
3. Lower the snail onto a new surface. When your snail has crawled on it and you have removed your hand from the terrarium, lower your hand and let your snail crawl off your hand. This is important so that the snail has the freedom to crawl around and discover new places.
   • Lower your hand slowly.
   • You can lower your hand to a new place in the terrarium. This is probably the best and safest.
   • Consider setting up a play terrarium with new stones, obstacles and even treats for your snail like lettuce, cucumber and apple.
   • Do not put the snail on the floor. If you do, there is a chance that you or someone else will step on your snail.

Part 3 of 4: Communicating with your snail

1. Let your snail crawl around. Allow your snail to crawl around after you prepare to play with your snail. Your snail will like it best if it can crawl around freely.
   • Let the snail crawl over your hand.
   • Let the snail crawl across the play area. If you put food out in your snail's new play area, chances are it will start crawling around to investigate the food and all the other new things.
   • Do not try to move the snail while it is crawling. You can hurt and scare him, which increases the likelihood that your snail will hide from you the next time you play with him.
2. Pet his house. If your snail seems to be in a friendly mood, you can pet its shell a little. Petting and touching the shell is an excellent way to interact and play with your snail.
   • Lightly touch and pat the house gently.
   • Stroke the house with the grain instead of against it.
3. Play carefully. It is important to be careful when playing with or picking up your snail. A snail is a delicate living creature and can be easily injured. Make sure to do the following:
   • Do not put pressure on the snail's shell.
   • Always move very gently when the snail is on your hand.
   • Be aware of how quickly the snail can be injured.
4. Pick up the snail as little as possible. You shouldn't pick up your snail, but there are things you can and shouldn't do if you decide to pick up your snail anyway. This is important because doing something wrong can hurt your snail.
   • Do not try to pick up your snail with a sharp object.
   • Don't pick up your snail at the house. You can only do that if your snail has completely withdrawn into its shell and you want to move it. Make sure you are careful and don't put pressure on the shell when moving your snail in this way.
5. Do not touch the areas around the opening of the house. When picking up your snail, be careful not to touch the areas around the opening of the shell. This is because a snail's shell grows at the opening. So this part is a lot more delicate and sensitive.
   • Always grab the house with two fingers at the top and at the back.

Part 4 of 4: Taking care of the snail after playing

1. Put the snail back into the terrarium in a safe way after you have taken it out. After playing, make sure you put your snail back safely in its terrarium. It is very important to safely return your snail to its terrarium so that it does not get hurt. If you move too fast while holding your snail, it won't be a pleasant experience for him and he may hide in his shell the next time you want to play with him.
   • Proceed slowly and carefully, just as you did when you took your snail out of the terrarium.
   • Make sure you put your snail upright in a safe place. Do not place the snail on a branch, stone or any other unsafe place in the terrarium.
2. Wash your hands. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly immediately after handling your snail. This is important because some snails carry diseases and infectious agents that can be dangerous to humans.
   • Use warm water.
   • Use antibacterial soap.
   • Use plenty of water and make sure to wash the spots between your fingers as well.
3. Close your snail's terrarium. Make sure you put the lid on or otherwise close the terrarium when you have safely put your snail in it. This is important, as your snail can leave its safe environment and get lost if you don't close the top of the terrarium.
   • If you have one, put the lid on the terrarium.
   • Make sure the lid is tight all around and that there are no holes or cracks.
   • Close the clamps or other aids to secure the lid to the terrarium.