Printed from: https://conservationhandbooks.com/nature-activities/snail-racing/
Did you know that the annual “World Snail Racing Championships” take place in Congham, Norfolk every year?
Download and decorate our easy to make race track and see which one of the speedy snails will reign supreme!
Set up your track
Print your race track and fold back the sides to create a stadium. Colour it in bright colours and decorate it with your stickers to make it unique. Use the distance markers to show the start 10cm, 20cm and the finish line.
Collect your competitors
Snails are most active at night and in damp conditions because of their moist skin, so see if you can collect some after a shower or a rainy downpopur. It’s best to keep them in an escape proof container with air holes so they can breathe and with plenty of greenery to keep them happy. Collect them shortly before your race then put them back where you have found them after they’ve finished.
Predict the results
Which snail do you think will win –the biggest or smallest one? A snail from your street or a woodland?
Ready, steady, slow…
Before starting the race, give each snail a name and stick a coloured dot on them so you can keep track of who’s who. (Be careful when sticking the number on – their shells are very delicate). Now set them at the start, start your timer and off you go!
Celebrate
Who’s the champion? How fast did they finish? Stick each snail’s trophy on their shell and give them their moment of glory on the winners podium. A few juicy lettuce leaves would make a great prize too :O)
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