If you are looking for a low-maintenance but interesting pet, you might want to consider keeping giant African land snails. These are not your ordinary garden snails, but giant molluscs that can grow up to 20 cm long and live for several years. They are easy to feed, require minimal handling and can provide hours of entertainment and education. In this blog post, we will cover some of the basics of keeping giant African land snails as pets, such as:
- What are giant African land snails?
- Why keep giant African land snails as pets?
- What do giant African land snails need?
- How to take care of giant African land snails
- What are the benefits and challenges of keeping giant African land snails as pets?
What are African land snails?
African land snails are a group of terrestrial gastropods that belong to the family Achatinidae. There are over 200 species of African land snails, but the most common ones kept as pets are Achatina achatina, also known as the giant Ghana snail or the giant tiger land snail, and Achatina fulica, also known as the giant East African snail or the giant garden snail. These snails are native to various regions of Africa, where they live in humid forests and grasslands. They are herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plants, fruits and vegetables. They have a soft body that is protected by a hard shell, which grows with them throughout their lives. They have a pair of tentacles on their head that contain their eyes and another pair that contain their sensory organs. They breathe through a hole on the right side of their body called a pneumostome. They are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Why keep African land snails as pets?
African land snails are fascinating creatures that can make great pets for people who are interested in wildlife and nature. They are relatively easy to care for, as they do not need much space, exercise or attention. They are also inexpensive to buy and feed, and do not produce much noise or odour. They can be kept in groups or individually, depending on your preference and available space. They are nocturnal, which means they are more active at night than during the day, so you can observe their behaviour and habits when it is dark. They are also very educational, as you can learn about their anatomy, physiology, ecology and evolution by watching them grow and interact.
What do giant African land snails need?
African land snails need a suitable enclosure, a proper diet, a source of calcium, a suitable temperature and humidity level, and regular cleaning to thrive as pets. Here are some of the basic requirements for keeping African land snails:
- Enclosure: You will need a well-ventilated glass or sturdy plastic tank with a secure lid to prevent your snails from escaping. The tank should be large enough to accommodate your snails’ growth and movement, ideally 60 cm long, 45 cm wide and 40 cm high for two adult snails. You will also need to provide a substrate for the floor of the tank, such as peat-free compost or coco coir, which should be kept moist but not wet. You can also add some hiding places for your snails, such as large pieces of bark or plant pots.
- Diet: You will need to provide your snails with fresh fruits and vegetables every day, such as lettuce, spinach, cucumber, courgette, apple, banana and melon. You can also give them occasional treats such as dandelion leaves, grass or flowers. Avoid giving them acidic fruits such as citrus or tomatoes, as these can damage their shells. You can also offer them a shallow dish of water for drinking and bathing.
- Calcium: You will need to provide your snails with a source of calcium to help them maintain their shells’ health and strength. You can do this by giving them a cuttlefish bone, natural chalk or crushed eggshells that they can nibble on. You can also sprinkle some calcium supplement on their food once a week.
- Temperature and humidity: You will need to keep your snails at a comfortable temperature range of 24 to 30 degrees Celsius (75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) and a humidity level of 70 to 90 percent. You can achieve this by using a heat mat under the tank and/or a heat bulb above it. You will also need to monitor the temperature and humidity regularly with thermometers and hygrometers. You will also need to mist the inside of the tank with warm water every other day to keep the air moist.
- Cleaning: You will need to clean your snails’ tank regularly to prevent the build-up of waste and bacteria. You will need to remove any uneaten food and droppings every day, and change the substrate and wipe the walls of the tank once a week. You will need to use plain water and avoid any chemicals or detergents, as these can harm your snails. You will also need to wash your hands before and after handling your snails or their tank, as they can carry diseases that can affect humans, such as salmonella.
How to take care of giant African land snails
African land snails are not very demanding pets, but they do need some basic care and attention to keep them healthy and happy. Here are some of the things you need to do to take care of your African land snails:
- Handle them gently and infrequently: You can handle your snails occasionally, but you should do it gently and carefully, as they are delicate and sensitive creatures. You should avoid touching their tentacles or their pneumostome, as these are their vital organs. You should also avoid handling them too often or for too long, as this can stress them out and cause them to withdraw into their shells. You should also make sure your hands are clean and moist before picking them up, as dry or dirty hands can harm their skin.
- Watch out for signs of illness or injury: You should check your snails regularly for any signs of illness or injury, such as cracks or holes in their shells, discolouration or fungus on their skin, loss of appetite or activity, or abnormal discharge from their mouth or pneumostome. If you notice any of these signs, you should consult a vet who specializes in exotic animals as soon as possible.
- Control their population: You should be aware that African land snails are prolific breeders, and can produce hundreds of eggs at a time. If you do not want to end up with more snails than you can handle, you should either keep only one snail, keep snails of the same species but different genders, or remove any eggs that you find in the tank. You should never release any unwanted snails or eggs into the wild, as they can become invasive and damage the environment.
- Respect their legal status: You should be aware that African land snails are illegal to keep as pets in some countries, such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand, due to their potential impact on the ecosystem. If you live in one of these countries, you should not attempt to buy, sell or own these snails. If you live in a country where they are legal, such as the United Kingdom, you should still follow the rules and regulations regarding their importation, transportation and disposal.
What are the benefits and challenges of keeping giant African land snails as pets?
Keeping African land snails as pets can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for people who love animals and nature. However, it can also pose some challenges and responsibilities that you should be prepared for. Here are some of the pros and cons of keeping African land snails as pets:
Pros:
- They are low-maintenance and inexpensive pets that do not need much space, exercise or attention.
- They are fascinating and educational pets that can teach you about their biology, behaviour and ecology.
- They are peaceful and quiet pets that do not make any noise or cause any trouble.
- They are unique and exotic pets that can impress your friends and family.
Cons:
- They are illegal and potentially harmful pets in some countries that can cause serious damage to the environment if released.
- They are delicate and sensitive pets that can get sick or injured easily if not cared for properly.
- They are prolific and invasive pets that can multiply rapidly if not controlled.
- They are nocturnal and inactive pets that may not be very entertaining or interactive during the day.
Conclusion
Giant African land snails are amazing creatures that can make great pets for people who are interested in wildlife and nature. However, they are not suitable for everyone, as they have specific needs and legal issues that need to be considered. If you decide to keep African land snails as pets, you should do your research beforehand and provide them with the best care possible. By doing so, you can enjoy a long-lasting and rewarding relationship with these fascinating creatures.