Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site houxf.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!houxf!dxp 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 Article-I.D.: houxf.1035 Posted: Tue Oct 29 10:11:16 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 30-Oct-85 06:43:37 EST References: <5410@amdcad.UUCP>, <2161@amdahl.UUCP>, <1034@houxf.UUCP> Organization: New Depths of Depravity Lines: 35 Xref: watmath net.pets:1244 net.garden:815 net.cooks:5241 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.)