Anatomy pictures

[snailboom]

The penis is on the other side. And when it's out, you'll know. It can extend very far.

[rain-]

So, from left to right (well, in males, not in these pictures), penis sheath, gill, lung, osphradia. When they are underwater, if they are held in hand the gill doesn't show much, I assume. That's what has been bothering me

It is always good to ask these questions. Yesterday night I saw a penis sheath of a snail who was underwater and I got the confirmation with my own eyes

[rain-]

Penis sheath on the left, osphradia on the right, right?:

[snailboom]

you got it!

[Bluewomble]

Fantastic pictures! I guess the one above is a male do you have a similar one of a female to compare, I still don't have the hang of sexing them like that.
I'm feeling quite inspried to get my camera out again and get even closer than before. What lighting do you use? I guess not flash?

[rain-]

Thanks I put a Philips Aquarelle -type fluorescent tube next to my hand when I take pictures of them out of water. Sometimes I do use flash if the snails are wiggling around and not just posing for me. And I usually use fast shutter speed settings with these pictures.

Here is another male with his thingy hanging a bit more than the other had:



And here's a female, no thingies:


I hope these help

[SunsetSnails]

Sorry for being repetitive but what type of snail is that in the very top picture - why does it have spikes?

[rain-]

Oh, it's a regular DSP bridgesii, a young one and it is a normal formation for the youngsters. The spikes are part of the mantles outer edge which creates the shell, I don't know why it is formed like that, but I think it might have something to do with the periostracal hairs since they spikes are placed evenly and so are the hairs, maybe they are formed in the spike parts of the mantle.

[firefly]

I just found this thread, somehow I missed it the first go round. Wow, those really are awesome pics rain!! You do such a great job with your camera! And, Now I know what I"m looking for with my male snails. Actually, I usually see it when they are getting busy with the ladies (or other gents if that's all they can find). It's confirming the females that is more difficult--unless they are caught in the act of laying eggs!

Emily