When Your Project is Complete: Decorate a Snail
Shell
STEP 1: READ THE FOLLOWING.
Does Painting Snail Shells to Keep Them from Being Stepped on
Really Aid Their Protection?
Katie Good
Life can be difficult for a little snail. Being so small and easily camouflaged with the ground can
easily lead to some painful mishaps. Not to mention the fact that snails move very slowly –
after all, we don’t call it snail speed for no reason! So, if a large human foot is above head,
chances are unless that snail gets a turbo-boost, they aren’t likely going to be able to escape
being crushed.
As Green Monsters, this makes us sad. Snails are important members of the ecosystem, even if
their small size may make them seem insignificant. Clearly, we are not alone in our respect for
snails – there are some individuals who have taken to painting snail shells to make them more
visible. While some people have taken to painting snail shells just for the sake of art, others
have done so in an effort to prevent snails from being stepped on. The snail shell painting craze
began after one Imgur user posted a photo of the shell she had decorated after becoming upset
by all the crushed snail shells she saw.
It didn’t take long for others to follow suit and create their own designs.
Stefan Silverud paints snail shells.
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Some of the designs created on snail shells are rather intricate.
Silverud has featured a number of popular logos.
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They’re a bit like tiny, really slow advertisements.
Don’t even think about putting a logo on your snail shell!
Some are more simple.
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A snail’s shell is meant to act as camouflage to protect them from predators.
Putting a bright design on the snail makes them much easier to spot.
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Some people may use toxic paint without realizing it could hurt the snail.
STEP 2: NOTEBOOK ENTRY
In your notebook, answer the following questions:
1. Do you think it necessary to paint snail shells in order to prevent them
from being stepped on?
2. What are some potential health consequences for snails and other living
creatures if toxic paint is used?
3. Would you paint a snail’s shell? Do you think others should do this?
Why or why not?
Make sure to support your answers in writing.
Create a sketch using the guidelines from STEP 4.
STEP 3: SHOW MS. COBLENTZ YOUR NOTEBOOK ENTRY AND SKETCH BEFORE
BEGINNING THE PROJECT.
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STEP 4: CREATE A DRAWING OR PAINTING OF A REALISTIC SNAIL WITH A
DESIGN ON ITS SHELL.
 Draw a detailed snail that is realistic.
Use photo references if needed.
 Be creative.
 Add color.
 No logos.
 No simple patterns such a checkerboard or stripes.
 Do not copy an image from the internet.
STEP 5: TURN IN YOUR COMPLETED ARTWORK. MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR
NAME ON IT.
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