DNA was extracted from mucus secreted by snails that had been allowed to crawl over glass microscope slides. The mucus contained many epithelial cells and a few blood cells. Microsatellite DNA regions were amplified using template DNA from the mucus and clear bands obtained showing the same positions as when using template DNA from the foot. Pedal mucus is therefore a reliable source of DNA, which can be extracted by a simple methodology that is readily applied in the field. The technique has considerable potential for conservation- and behavioural ecology.