June 2002

Herbert was a happy snail. He had good snail companions, lots of snail descendents, and was well-fed. He enjoyed walks around the tank, trying new foods, playing with the bubbles from the air filter, floating around on large pieces of food, and he occasionally filled his shell with air to float around the tank himself.

Herbert was our first snail - a Giant Ramshorn snail (Marisa cornuarietis) - and was purchased in February 2001. His early months were spent in a six-sided 2 1/2 gallon tank. Known by many names, he took his primary name from the children's song "Have Patience," in which there was a snail named Herbert. In the early days, when he was the only snail in the tank, he was referred to by such generic titles as "Snail," and "Mr. Snail." He was also on occasion referred to as "Herbertus Magnus" in honor of the 13th century philosopher and theologian Albert the Great. Herbert was selected from a 50 gallon fish tank in a local pet store that contained around 30 new snails. Herbert was the most active of the snails at the time, having crawled up to the top of a rock in the center of the tank, so he was selected instead of the others. Within the first few minutes in his new 2 1/2 gallon home, he climbed up to the top of the white plastic cave and surveyed the surroundings. He soon outgrew the small tank and passed his later days in a larger 10 gallon tank. Surprisingly, there was much debate regarding the color of Herbert. To some, he appeared green, whereas to others, he was allegedly brown. He became very excited in the presence of lettuce and cucumbers, and was known to float through the tank for hours on end by hanging on to tasty cucumber wheels. Herbert slowed down a bit since toward the end of his days. He eventually grew to about two inches in diameter. Since Herbert regularly laid eggs on a weekly basis, his owners did wonder if a more feminine name might be more appropriate. He lived till June 2, 2002, and was buried at sea in a nearby lake.

May 2002

Snoobles Living Abroad!

Two Snoobles have left the Gurgle-arium and are presently living in Aurora, IL! They pass the time in a huge tank with rather large applesnails of the Pomacea canaliculata variety and two Oscar fish. All seem to be getting along well.

May 2002

A new snail!

Introducing Mr. Burble!

A new snail has joined the happy home inhabited by Arty, Herbert, Sneat, Zippy, and the Snoobles. His name is Mr. Burble.

Mr. Burble is from the species Pomacea bridgesi, and presently is about the size of a nickel. He appears to enjoy algae tablets, and has been well received by the other snails.

More photos to come soon!