Giant land snail HELP

chrylisa · #1 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:27 PM

Hello to all,
please help, My sons giant african land snails are breeding like rabbits we now have two lots of cute little snails god knows how many but there are loads

does anyone know where i can rehome them? and can i do anything to stop them breeding again i.e cange temp of tank. My son does not want to split them up as he says they will get lonley.

Dutchess · #2 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:40 PM

Sorry - cannot advise what to do with the surplus, but I do know this is a relatively common problem. It seems Giant land snails are the new stick insects as far as kid's pet projects go!

Dutchess · #3 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:42 PM

By the way chrylisa, welcome to the forum! I see that was your first post

naturelover · #4 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 03:02 PM

hi chrylisa welcome to the site,sorry i cant help you on giant land snails havnt a clue,but if you want to stop the breeding the only way is to seporate the lovers.

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 04:01 PM

If you separate them they wont get lonely, they are not quite as affectionate as us humans. Perhaps cooling the tank would reduce it, but would make the snails very slow and could cause problems.

demicav · #6 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 06:32 PM

I would definately separate them.

Apparently you can stop the eggs from hatching by freezing them for 24 hrs but I would question the reasons for continuous use of this method where separation is possible.

chrylisa · #7 (**permalink**) 15-01-2008, 06:11 PM

Thank you all. I fear the only way is to split them up. My son is having a lip wobble as we speak.

juliejam · #8 (**permalink**) 15-01-2008, 06:25 PM

Hi ther Chylisa welcome to the forum...with reference to your snail breeding problem ...Ive read that if you provide them with less than 1inch of substrate this will discourage them from breeding...

Giant African Land Snails page

Julie

Adam Cheeseman · #9 (**permalink**) 15-01-2008, 06:48 PM

I'm no expert but as snails are hermaphrodites they can fertilise themselves ifr necessary I think. So separating them might not solve the problem.

Try asking your local pet shop if they can suggest somewhere or take them off your hand themselves.

Do not release into the wild.

Cheers,

Adam

Gill Catton · #10 (**permalink**) 15-01-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I'm no expert but as snails are hermaphrodites they can fertilise themselves ifr necessary I think. So separating them might not solve the problem.

Try asking your local pet shop if they can suggest somewhere or take them off your hand themselves.

Do not release into the wild.

Cheers,

Adam

I would second the do not release into the wild suggestion I think this species is an ecological disater waiting to happen myself.....