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From: dxp@houxf.UUCP (POND SCUM)
Newsgroups: net.pets,net.garden,net.cooks
Subject: Re: raising snails
Message-ID: <1035@houxf.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 10:11:16 EST
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Posted: Tue Oct 29 10:11:16 1985
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THE GOOD SNAILS -

   Generally eaten snails come from the helix aspersa and helix pomatia species,
this due primarily to the fact that throughout history(read tradition) these
species have proved to have been a) easy to raise b) non toxic to humans 
c) are large enough to be economically gathered.

The above species are traditionally a european based LAND snail, although
they are now widespread across north america. Salt water
snails include abelone,conch,winkles etc are a large cash crop.

There are other edible land snails especially from Africa & Asia but do not
appear to be a cash crop outside their cultivating region.

THE BAD SNAILS - 

       Generally these are water snails and most that "we" come into contact 
with are the freshwater snails, somewhat of a misnomer as they tend to inhabit
slow to non-moving water locations. What Michael Smith described  seems to be
similar to swimmers itch caused by parasites trying to invade the human body
and the itch/rash is the result of the interaction of the human body repulsing
the invasion. There are other "bad" snails, hopefully we'll never cross their 
path.


  On a closing note the largest snail known is an australian marine snail that
measures 2 feet across it's shell. Hope that baby is edible, yum,yum !


    Dave Peak
    @  ihnp4!hotel!dxp

"All the net's a stage and all the men and women merely ham actors !"
- Rev Peak (apologies to Bill S.)