That’s why a lot of people will say ALL snails are hermaphrodites, but that’s wrong 😛. Baby snails are indeed born with shells, but they’re really weak – not at all like the hardened versions their parents have.These shells are called ‘protoconches’. Just like humans need loads of calcium to make our bones strong, baby snails need to eat loads of calcium to strengthen their shells.The first thing they tend to do when they’re born is eat the egg they hatched from.hese shells are called ‘protoconches’. Just like humans need loads of calcium to make our bones strong, baby snails need to eat loads of calcium to strengthen their shells. The first thing they tend to do when they’re born is eat the egg they hatched from.