Can Cowries turn themselves over ?

[hanifrez]

I know some other snails will die if they're upside down. My Cowrie once fell off a rock and was upside down. I couldn't get to it coz it was behind some large LR and thought it was doomed. But later somehow it managed to turn itself over !

Today it was upside down again after some fish knocked it off a rock I turned him over and he was alive.

Question: can Cowries really turn themselves over (so that I don't have to worry too much over this in future) ?

Snail Guy -- appreciate your response

Ray

 

[Snail Guy]

Hi Ray,

I believe Dr. Ron has mentioned that sometimes the "turning over" problem is related to the type of bottom the snail is living on. For instance, a snail living adapted to life on rocks may have trouble turning over on sand. Other possibilities, the snails are sick or dying. Or, while under bright light, they feels threatened and will not budge until they feel it is safe, such as when the lights go out. I haven't experienced this problem, so speculation is all I can offer.

That said, cowries (like most snails) should be quite capable of turning themselves over.

Cheers,
Bob