Artist Tricks Out Snails' Shells to Keep Them Safe

Artist Stefan Siverud has a soft spot for snails. In his effort to keep the little guys from being stepped on, he's been painting their shells vibrant colors. His project Snailpimp features some pretty elaborate shell makeovers: One of his masterpieces even boasts a tiny lighthouse with grass. 

The paint and materials used on the shells are nontoxic and do not harm the mollusks. There's no guarantee that the upgrades won't lead to some unwanted attention from predators, but at least they're less likely to get stepped on, which is a real problem.