Some startling facts about snails

...taken from Green Harvest (research for my continuing war on gastropods):

• 'They secrete mucous to move about and by using the same trail and sharing trails with other snails they save on mucous production.'

• 'During cold or dry weather, snails can seal their shells, and remain dormant for several years.' Like tiny, gross volcanoes.

• 'Australia has 6,000 species of native snails.'

• 'Handpicking, will over time, greatly reduce the number of snails... The best time is 2 hours after sunset by torchlight.'