|
|
|
|
Here is a rough guide to the care of Giant African Land Snails. More detailed information coming soon!
Giant African Land Snails (or GALS) are great pets for children, as they don't need as much attention as a rabbit or guinea pig.
There are numerous different species of GALS, the most common being Achatina fulica. (aa-ka-TEE-na full-EE-ka).
They can get very big; snails the size of a hand are the norm and it isn't unusual for them to get bigger. The really big Achatina achatina can grow to a foot long!
They need a secure tank (the size depends on the size of the snail(s)) and they need to be kept warm - either in a centrally heated room or with a heat mat beneath the tank. GALS like to burrow, so the floor of the tank should be covered with peat as deep as the snail's shell. A flower pot laid on it’s side or a length of plastic pipe will provide shelter.
GALS eat allsorts - most fruit and vegetables will be taken, but be careful of pesticide use if gathering food from outside. GALS must have a piece of cuttlefish bone in their tank at all times. They need the calcium for their shell to grow, and to repair any damage. Water isn't necessary for the snails as long as their surroundings are humid enough, but I do recommend a bowl of water as the snails will drink from it and like to 'bathe' in it, although the heavier the bowl the better as they will tend to tip it up!
The sides of the tank should be wiped down whenever they start to get dirty, and the peat changed when it starts to look dirty. Peat can be re-used by baking it in the oven at 150'c for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much peat you have. The tank should be thoroughly cleaned every month by scrubbing with washing up liquid and boiling water.
There is only one problem with GALS - they breed like crazy! GALS are hermaphrodites - they have both male and female organs. When snails mate they can hold onto sperm for months, and wait until conditions are right before laying their eggs. GALS can 300 or more eggs at one time, so unless you want to be completely overrun with GALS, the eggs should be destroyed by freezing them for 24 hours. If you want to raise some babies, keep four or five of the eggs buried in peat in a margarine tub or similar. This can be put in the airing cupboard and within two-three weeks (sometimes one week!) the eggs should have hatched. Baby snails should NOT be handled as they are very fragile. Provide them with cuttlefish and fruit and veg until they reach about 1cm long, then they can CAREFULLY be moved into another container, preferably without the adults as the babies may become lost or squashed. They can take 1-2 years to become adult, but will grow for most of their lives, which can be as long as nine years.
Snails should be handled carefully; if their shells are damaged they could die through desiccation. GALS should not be handled near the shell opening as this is where the new shell growth is, and it is very fragile and easily broken.
If your snail retreats back into it's shell or even seals itself in with a white 'door', then it isn't being kept humid or warm enough. Try raising the temperature or spraying the snail. To wake the snail up, place the snail in a shallow container of room-temperature water.
Homepage - Housing - Feeding - Breeding - Help! My GALS is sick.......
bravenet.com