The “Sandwich” System: A Potential Solution for Protecting Overwintering Cornu aspersum Snails Reared in Semi-Intensive Heliciculture Farms in Colder Climates

Abstract

(1) Background: Hibernation in pens covered with LFC was associated with high mortality of C. aspersum snails in Romanian snail farms. This three-year study aimed to develop a simple, but effective system for protecting breeders in colder climates. (2) Methods: The first phase investigated the (pre)hibernal burrowing behavior and the overwintering habitat choice. Protective structures based on straw, LFC, and/or HDPE were tested at pilot level (no snails). The most suitable system was applied under farm conditions. (3) Results: Wood and ridge-tile micro shelters were significantly preferred to corrugated iron micro shelters. Burrowing specimens acted as shallow-burrowers, and this behaviorwas significantly more common for looser soils. All pilot systems displayed significantly higher thermal protection efficiency compared to the sole use of LFC. The balance between straw moistening and thermal protection favored using structure soil/LFC/straw/10-cm air cushion/HDPE. Its use yielded significantly higher survival compared to the sole use of LFC. Most hibernating snails clustered together in large groups, attached on the lower surface of micro shelters. Predator occurrence appeared to marginally affect overwintering survival. (4) Conclusions: The “sandwich” system could be an effective solution for overwintering mature C. aspersum snails in colder climates.

Messages in the mucus: Selection of land snail resting sites based on the presence of mucus from conspecifics and other species

“…Displaced individuals of C. aspersum return to a home range (Dunstan & Hodgson, 2014), and many individuals regularly return to the same location (Lorvelec, 1990) or bush (Potts, 1975). Individuals of C. aspersum may aggregate during periods of aestivation (Selander & Kaufman, 1975) and hibernation (Manea et al, 2021). Regular homing to the same locations has been well documented for slugs and for some shelled snails (Baur, 1986; Rollo & Wellington, 1981).…”

Edible Snail Production in Europe

“…It is characterised by a high mortality of young and adult individuals during breeding and overwintering. However, a study carried out in Romania showed that the “sandwich” rearing system (using micro shelters in the field) can protect snails during wintering in the field from adverse weather conditions [ 61 ]. Thus, its use can minimise the mortality of animals in external maintenance and may allow the hibernating snails to be safely kept outside.…”

Filling Analytical Gaps in Allergen Detection─Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Commercially Relevant Cephalopods and Gastropods in Food

“…The FAO only reports terrestrial snail production for four countries (Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, and Ivory Coast) with a quantity of 18,100 . However, European countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy, which also produce large quantities of snails, are not included in that data set. , Unfortunately, there is no credible scientific source in the literature that could be used to estimate the current production and consumption of terrestrial snails worldwide. In 2020, 740,519 t of freshwater and sea snails were caught or produced in aquaculture .…”