Pond Snails

[LinL]

Any ideas what would be eating our ramshorn pond snails ? I found about 6 empty shells on the grass next to the pond. I have Googled it, but the only answer I found suggested a racoon...but living in Herts, I don't think so !!
Thanks.

[rowanwitch]

Hedgehog.. if they are up near the waterline easy for a hedgy to fish them out A thrush might also get them the same way

[LinL]

Thanks rowanwitch, I haven't seen hedgehogs in the garden, but it's a thought. The snails are usually pretty deep so don't think it could be thrushes.

[heathfield]

If it were thrushes, the shells would be broken open. Ramshorns have lungs, and have to come up occasionally for air - this could be when they're vulnerable. Predation - take your pick...

http://www.haywardm.s...et.com/predators.html

[Grandma_Yiddo]

Could it be a heron?

[LinL]

Thanks for that link heathfield, very interesting. Being pond snails I guess frogs and toads are highly likely culprits...or the heron. Just seen one flying over again !!
I would love to see how the heron gets the snails out of their shells though.

[LinL]

we had this problem a couple of years ago. Someone suggested ducks....they can apparently suck the snail out of its shell. We do get ducks, so it seemed plausible !!