I agree with Don.

SLOW freezing is least likely to distress the animal AND prevent damage to the
cowry shell,... from my experience. Put the live animal in a zip-top poly bag
and wrap that in several several layers of newspaper. The outer wrap slows the
loss of heat and allows the animal to extend itself from its shell. This will
all but eliminate damage to the shell as the freezing tissue expands.

More about methods cleaning cowry shells can be found at
http://cowrys.org/capcowry/CURATIN0.HTM

Aloha,

Bob Dayle



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Quoting Don Barclay <[log in to unmask]>:

> I freeze mine, and none of them have ever complained.
>
>
> Don
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "LaVerne Lambert" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 1:15 PM
> Subject: Shells have feelings too..., but how much??
>
>
> > Dear people on Conch-L,
> >   I have had a friend ask me a question that I am not able to answer...  I
> > know some of you are scientists and serious collectors that may know this
> > information...  When cleaning a mollusk, which way is the least painful
> > for
> > the animal??  freezing, cooking slowly, or something else...  I would
> > great
> > appreciate knowing where to find any research in this area as well...
> >                      Thanks so much....
> >                                  LaVerne
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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