Tender Shell
Tender Shell
Snips and Snails!
Like most gardeners I suspect, I find that the snail is a perennial problem. No sooner do the days warm up and carefully tended shoots emerge then .... so do the snails and, unless prompt action is taken .... no more plants!
I try to garden organically as much as possible, and my preferred method of control is to go into the garden either early in the morning or late in the evening when they are most active, collect them up, and chuck them over the hedge onto a patch of waste ground about 100 yds away. They probably migrate back again - I've often thought of marking their shells in some way to see how many times I'm chucking the same snail in one season! But on the whole I've better things to do, like turn the compost heap!
Anyway, it was while I was gathering up the most recent snail heap that I began to ponder upon the nature of these gastropodian nuisances. I did a bit of reading and realised that snails are actually very well designed to fill their ecological niche.
I took myself off to the local library and spent some time studying a natural history book, which had a particularly comprehensive snail section. From this I learned that snails have been on this planet for a very long time, much longer than us. They are cold-blooded creatures who cannot regulate their body temperatures. But they can withdraw into their shells and secrete a temporary waterproof lid over the opening. They can even fit double glazing if the weather becomes very cold. But they can't ever leave home. Their bodies and shells are permanently fused - think how hard a thrush has to work to extract the juicy snail innards from its tough outer casing.
The snail's shell grows as its body grows and the whorls turn clockwise. If you ever find one that turns anticlockwise then it's literally a one-in-a-million event!
All we ever see of the snail is its head and foot. A snail foot is like nothing else on earth, simply something muscular to move with on its own thin ribbon of excreted mucus. It moves slowly, but safely and although it doesn't like rough surfaces such as gravel, it can still move over them without harm gliding on its mucus.
As I know to my cost, snails will eat lettuce and strawberries and all manner of tender and soft garden plants. But, it's not personal, a snail is just as happy feeding on garden rubbish and weeds. It has - wait for it - no fewer than 14,000 teeth. Its eyes are on the end of its tentacles, the longer, posterior ones, which it can pull into its body if touched.
Snails are a useful food source for other creatures such as thrushes, hedgehogs, mice and shrews. Beetles and glow-worms eat them and so do 65 different species of British fly. People eat them too - but I've never quite been that hungry!
So there you have it - the common or garden snail - an interesting creature, but one which is still doomed to end up the other side of my hedge if caught molesting my hostas!
About the Author
Ellie Dixon lives in deepest rural Devon, England with her husband and two very large Newfoundland dogs. She is passionate about vintage illustrated children's books and loves to restore and edit them for today's kids to rediscover.
Visit Kids of Character", a unique range of beautiful illustrated books and fun activities all designed to help parents grow responsible, trustworthy kids of good character, or for even more great books visit Scruffy's Bookshop, Ellie's main website.
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LIONEL POSTWAR TENDER SHELL LOT OF 4 1 IS METAL PARTS AS IS NO RESERVE |  |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 52m |
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LIONEL POSTWAR 2432 2436 PASSENGER CAR SHELLS AS IS GOOD NO RESERVE | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 1h 13m |
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Lionel POSTWAR Long haul Santa Fe TENDER 6026W for STEAM ENGINES | |
4 Bids | US $42.00 | 6h 5m |
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Lionel Early POSTWAR WHISTLE TENDER 2466W for STEAM ENGINES | |
1 Bid | US $39.00 | 6h 38m |
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AMERICAN FLYER O GAUGE PREWAR 565 LOCOMOTIVE 564 TENDER TRAIN ENGINE RESTORE | |
4 Bids | US $36.97 | 9h 27m |
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HO SCALE VARNEY BALTIMORE OHIO LOCOMOTIVE DOCKSIDE | |
0 Bid | US $40.00 | 9h 51m |
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MDC Steam Loco Engine DIE CAST 4 4 2 Long Haul Tender HO Runs | |
9 Bids | US $41.00 | 9h 57m |
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IHC Premier Series Steam Loco Engine US Army 0 8 0 Tender HO Runs Shifter | |
16 Bids | US $46.99 | 10h 1m |
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NEW YORK NH H RR TENDER SHELL FOR IHC HO SCALE NEW | |
0 Bid | US $11.99 | 11h 21m |
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CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN RR TENDER SHELL IHC HO SCALE NEW | |
0 Bid | US $11.99 | 11h 21m |
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NORFOLK WESTERN RR TENDER SHELL IHC PART HO SCALE NEW | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 11h 21m |
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AMERICAN FLYER 354 SILVER BULLET SATIN RUNS | |
8 Bids | US $50.99 | 1d 36m |
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Misc Lionel O Scale Locomotive 242 8040 8300 9448 Parts Tenders Parts | |
0 Bid | US $29.95 | 1d 1h 32m |
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Mantua Chesapeake Ohio 4 6 2 Steam Loco w Added Brass Details Needs Work | |
3 Bids | US $31.05 | 1d 1h 40m |
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LK MINT LIONEL 2026 TYPE TENDER SHELL LK | |
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US $26.50 | 1d 2h 49m |
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LIONEL 385E Standard Gauge Steam Engine PLUS TRACK | |
0 Bid | US $500.00 | 1d 3h 50m |
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Junk Box 20 HO Steam Locomotive Parts Shells Frames etc | |
8 Bids | US $26.00 | 1d 4h 11m |
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LIONEL 6026 REPRODUCTION TENDER SHELL UAW Express | |
1 Bid | US $1.99 | 1d 4h 14m |
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American Flyer 342 Switcher NPR Cast Metal Tender Shell OK for 343 346 S Scale | |
4 Bids | US $22.23 | 1d 5h 6m |
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AMERICAN FLYER JUNK YARD | |
3 Bids | US $10.49 | 1d 7h 2m |
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American Flyer 312 SIT Tender Shell | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 1d 7h 36m |
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LIONEL 1946 671 TURBINE W SMOKE BULB W 2046W 50 TENDER | |
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US $220.00 | 1d 8h 19m |
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Lot of HO Athearn and Other Diesel Locomotive Shells and Tender Shells | |
9 Bids | US $20.50 | 1d 8h 25m |
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WFL AMERICAN FLYER K325 STEAM ENGINE SHELL WITH HANDRAILS C 6 | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 1d 9h 22m |
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WFL AMERICAN FLYER K325 TENDER SHELL C 6 | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 1d 9h 26m |
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Marx NEW YORK CENTRAL Tender CAR PARTS Runner NEEDS BOTH TRUCKS REPLACED BOTTOM | |
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US $2.20 | 1d 9h 38m |
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Lionel 6 18072 Torpedo Steam Loco w Railsounds LN Box | |
12 Bids | US $138.00 | 9h 29m |
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HO Scale Train Lot Tyco Bachmann Mantua Atlas Track Engines Cars Burlington | |
18 Bids | US $96.00 | 10h 8m |
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HTF Nickel Plate Road 2 8 0 492 Tender Shell Cab and Parts | |
1 Bid | US $12.00 | 1d 11h 33m |
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Marklin 262000 Frame for 8816 Tender MT | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 11h 14m |
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Bachmann Prairie 2 6 2 Tender N Scale Union Pacific MIB | |
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US $44.99 | 1d 15h 24m |
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LIONEL TRAIN PARTS | |
11 Bids | US $36.00 | 2h 27m |
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TENDER TOP COVER COAL IHC PART P522 112 HO SCALE NEW | |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 2d 1h |
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TENDER LADDER FOR IHC TENDER SHELL NEW REPAIR PART | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 2d 1h |
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TENDER TOP COVER OIL IHC PART P522 075 HO SCALE NEW | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 1h 5m |
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TENDER LIGHT FOR IHC TENDER SHELL NEW REPAIR PART | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 2d 1h 12m |
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P 175 028 Reno Genoa Tender Shell AHM RIVAROSSI PARTS | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 2d 1h 21m |
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Lionel Lines Coal Tender Shell Circa 1950s | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 2d 9h 5m |
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Vintage AMERICAN FLYER 342DC 0 8 0 Switcher Train Engine | |
6 Bids | US $101.01 | 2d 9h 58m |
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Lionel 2046 4 6 4 Steam Locomotive w Tender | |
6 Bids | US $63.00 | 1d 9h 51m |
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Bachmann Spetrum 2 6 6 2 DCC Sound New | |
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US $209.00 | 2d 10h 48m |
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Locomotive Steam ENGINE 400 New York Cental Tender Marx or Lionel O Gauge | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 2d 11h 44m |
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HO Train Bachmann Overland Limited EZ Mate HO Set 00614 | |
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US $159.99 | 9d 37m |
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Lionel POSTWAR 2046 Big 4 6 4 HUDSON STEAM ENGINE | |
8 Bids | US $20.75 | 3d 1h 8m |
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ORIGINAL PRE WAR TENDER 2224T FOR REFURBISHMENT | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 3d 1h 58m |
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HO Scale Lot of three Shell Cars Tanker Coal Tender and Caboose | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 2h |
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Lionel 2671 Tender SHELL ONLY NO RESERVE | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 3h 47m |
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Lionel Tender SHELL ONLY NO RESERVE | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 3d 3h 53m |
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LIONEL 6026 REPRODUCTION TENDER SHELL New York Central | |
0 Bid | US $1.99 | 3d 4h 11m |
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Lionel and Bachman Trains Engines Rolling Stock and other items Estate Sale | |
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US $2,000.00 | 3d 4h 21m |
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WEAVER BRASS O 4 6 2 PACIFIC P 7D CINCINNATIAN BALTIMORE OHIO 5303 W SOUND | |
10 Bids | US $102.50 | 3d 4h 48m |
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WEAVER BRASS O 4 6 2 PACIFIC JOHN WILKES LEHIGH VALLEY 2102 W SOUND | |
10 Bids | US $213.76 | 3d 4h 49m |
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Lionel postwar 2466wx whistle tender | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 3d 4h 58m |
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1950s LIONEL 736 Steam Engine and a 2671W Tender | |
10 Bids | US $102.50 | 3d 5h |
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Lionel 7795 0 8 0 New York Central Steam Engine 6 30103 Trainsounds Tender | |
1 Bid | US $75.00 | 3d 5h 54m |
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1996 Atlas Model Trains N Scale Shell Gas Oil 4 Car Steam Engine Tender Train | |
1 Bid | US $14.99 | 1d 9h 18m |
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AMERICAN FLYER READING LINES TENDER WITH DIRECTION CONTROL | |
2 Bids | US $4.25 | 3d 10h 8m |
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Marx Army Train Loco 666 Lighted Smoker Excellent Restored | |
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US $60.99 | 3d 10h 8m |
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MANTUA HO Canadian Pacific 4 6 2 Train Set Metal Locomotive | |
5 Bids | US $20.51 | 3d 10h 20m |
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HO AHM 4 6 2 SP Southern Pacific | |
0 Bid | US $25.00 | 3d 10h 48m |
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LARGE LOT VINTAGE ATHEARN MARX MANTUA TYCO ZENITH AND MORE | |
2 Bids | US $20.50 | 3d 12h 43m |
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Vintage HO Casey Jones Steam Locomotive 4 6 0 with Tender Box Instructions | |
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US $125.00 | 3d 14h 46m |
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Lionel 239 2 4 2 Loco w Slope Back Tender Die Cast Smoke EXC | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 3d 18h 57m |
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AMERICAN FLYER FRANKLIN TENDER SHELL SMOKE UNIT FRONT PILOT | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 4d 3h 4m |
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LIONEL 2671W 6 Tender BO Baltimore Ohio | |
2 Bids | US $12.50 | 4d 3h 38m |
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LIONEL 1935 MICKEY MOUSE 1508 WINDUP ENGINE AND 1509 TENDER READ BEFORE BIDDING | |
0 Bid | US $329.99 | 4d 4h 37m |
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Tags: crabs, mangusta_projekt, templates, tender, work@shell/pl0