snail collecting and habitat building
TRANSCRIPT
SNAIL COLLECTING AND HABITAT BUILDING
Before you get your snails make a perfect home for them to feel comfortable in. Materials you need are listed below.
When going to find creatures be mindful of where you collect them so you can bring them back to the same spot. It is always fun to be able to see up close how animals are in their environments just remark they are living creatures so treat them with care!
Find a location in your backyard or neighbourhood, ravine area. Snails like dark and moist habitats so best to come early morning, after a rain or in the evening when the sun is not too hot. I always take a moment to have a deep breathe and imagine the creature I am looking for. I put my hand on my heart and send a message out loud or in my head to the earth. “Hello Nature it’s me ___________________ today I am looking for some snails to take care of. Please help me find some. Thank you!” You can try something like that or whatever feels right for you. Then go explore and see where you are lead! It might take a few attempts!
Funny fact! I have found many snails climbing trees! So don’t forget to look
MATERIALS:
1. A plastic produce carton- the kind that berries come in/ lettuce. *Make sure there are plenty of air holes. An adult can puncture with knife or scissors. 2. A lid from a jug or small plastic water bottle to be cut down for shallow water dish 4. Fresh leaves from a nearby tree/plant. 5. Stones of various sizes. 6. Mulch, bark or twigs. 7. A small plastic plant container.
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Be sure it's the right size that you can close the lid. Or a paper egg carton 8. Scissors, water (bottled or rainwater), and food scraps
Snail Facts:
Best time to find snails is in the early morning or evening when it isn’t as hot out. Or after a rain as they like a cool and damp environment. You can walk a trail and
look in shaded leafy areas. I often find snails climbing up trees! So don’t forget to look up!
They like to eat food scrapes like carrot peels, cucumbers, cabbage, leaves, bark, bits of fruit and limestone or broken egg shells! (good calcium for their
shells!)
Snails like a moist, shady environment. They do not like hot and dry conditions, and they don't care for the sun.
Snails are most active at night.
Snails might be shy so leave them on your hand for a few moments and sing them a lullaby to get them to come out!
* Mist the habitat to ensure it is moist * Clean out any decaying food * Use water that is rainwater or bottled spring water- tap water has chlorine and other chemicals sails don’t love. You can also put a cup of tap water outside for 24 hours and let chlorine evaporate then use.
SNAIL ACTIVITIES
*Snail race!- Mark a start and finish line…not to far from each other! Get your snails and guess who might win. Line them up and sit and wait!
*Take out a ruler or measuring tape and a timer- see how far they go in a certain time frame
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*Snail art- Get some flour/ cornstarch and glitter/ black paper works best Have a snail slide around on the paper then take them off and shake glitter or cornstarch overtop to see the patterns there snail trail made
Snail Crafting: *Rolled Paper snails on leaves- http://www.makeandtakes.com/coiled-paper-snail-craft
*Explorations with spiral shape- https://www.thisnthatwitholivia.com/paper-plate-snails-craft/ *Substitute plastic beads with painted pebbles; bark, leaves,
other natural or found materials. Can also be used to explore patterning.
Clay or play dough snails: https://www.redtedart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Snail-Craft-DIY-Game.jpg
Worm Habitats and Vermi Composter-
Dig down deep in the soil in the early morning or after a rain! Worms, worms all around! *When handling worms please make sure your hand is wet or handle on a moist paper towels so worms don’t dry out!*
https://www.tomsofmaine.com/good-matters/thinking-sustainably/diy-worm-habitat-for-kids-the-ultimate-science-experiment
https://kids.kiddle.co/Earthworm
BEST VERMICOMPOSTING IN TORONTO GUIDE http://www.torontogreen.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/How-to-Set-Up-A-vermicompostbin.pdf
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