Giant African Land Snails

[debnade]

My 15 yr old daughter is interested in keeping and breeding some of these. I know how to look after them, but I am not sure where to go for reputable supplies. Does anyone have any tips for us?
Do most pet shops supply them, and if not, where should we look for ones about 3cms in size to start her off?
Thanks guys in advance as I know someone will be able to offer some help.
Deb

[Tiggrx]

The best thing to do would be to find someone else who keeps them, they are bound to have young snails to give away or sell off cheaply. Snails sold by petshops are frequently more expensive (and often less healthy). You can often find them for sale cheaply on eBay.

The one problem you can end up with is that your snails will breed too freely and you can end up with large numbers of baby snails which are difficult to rehome. It is very sensible to harden your heart and destroy the majority of the eggs which they produce - putting them in the freezer is a good method.

They are great fun to keep though - good luck with them
Aaron

[ian_g]

We had a guy visit my ex-local photography club who would probably be able point you in the right direction, if not supply one or two to you... I shall have to delve a bit deeper to find his name and phone number, shall PM it you once I've located it.

He breeds reptiles, spiders, snails, toads, virtually anything that gives most people the heebie-jeebies.

I do remember him saying that you should never release such things into the wild for they grow a collosal size (probably up to 15 to 20 times the size of our common garden snail) and have an appetite to match! He said that if a strong-hold colony were to start in this country, they would soon wipe out most plants in the area, luckily though, they're not particularly keen on our climate, which is a blessing in disguise!

Some of the 'critters' he brought along were absolutely fascinating, especially the Chilean Rose Tarantula (pic below).



As much as spiders really do freak me out, this specimen had endearing qualities, if you get what I mean.

Just remembered his name (not the spider's), Dave Duckett, just need to find his phone number!

Ian G

[catalaze]

Be very, very, careful they don't escape when you're away for the week-end. I knew someone who came home to find half his telephone directory eaten ...

[ian_g]

And the ironic thing was, it was the half that had all the emergency numbers

Ian G

[ian_g]

You'd have to be very gullible to believe that. Gullible, by the way, isn't listed in the English dictionary for some reason.

Ian G

[debnade]

Originally Posted by ian_g

We had a guy visit my ex-local photography club who would probably be able point you in the right direction, if not supply one or two to you... I shall have to delve a bit deeper to find his name and phone number, shall PM it you once I've located it.

I do remember him saying that you should never release such things into the wild for they grow a collosal size (probably up to 15 to 20 times the size of our common garden snail) and have an appetite to match!
Ian G

Thanks for that Ian, I was really pleased until I saw the photo. It was my worst nightmare. I don't even like pictures of spiders, let alone tarantula's. Anyway, my other daughter has held a red-kneed tarantula - but not when I was within sight! lol

If you can get a contact for me that would be great. I have seen them on Ebay, but I am too distrustful to buy from there without a specific recommendation.

I have space in my freezer saved for the excess of eggs and would never let them out into the wild. Snails cause enough destruction in my garden as it is, I wouldn't dream of making it any worse!

She wanted reptiles, but the snails are a compromise

[AngieMc]

Hi Deb,

I was really inerested to read about your daughter wanting to start breeding Giant African Land Snails as my daughter has just had her first (and I hope last) batch of eggs hatch. She became the proud owner of 2 GALS, Brian and his girlfriend Michelle, last summer (I know they are hemaphrodites but you have to name your pets don't you).


Brian was very sluggish during the winter/spring and wasnt very impressed with the cold weather but during the recent heatwave he has been zipping about the tank and I can only assume that his thoughts turned to love and nature took it's course because when I was sitting at the computer yesterday morning, shortly after my daughter left for school, I noticed something small and white on the glass at the front of the tank. On getting up to have a closer look I was horrified..... I mean suprised to see that it was in fact a tiny, perfectly formed snail about 3-4mm long. On closer inspection I noticed that there were loads of the little darlings all packed in the corner just where Brian had been resting (and obscuring my view) for the past few days enjoying some lush strawberries I gave them as a summer treat. My daughter and I take it in turns to clean out the tank and she was obviously not as thorough or as vigilant as I am and so we had no idea that they had laid a batch of eggs deep down in the compost. Had I known I would have removed the eggs and placed them in the freezer, but as it is we now have about 100 new pets that we are going to have to try and find homes for which is really the point of my long winded response to your post.

We live in Finchley, North London and if you wanted any of the little darlings and we can find a safe way of transporting them you are more than welcome to have some.

Kind regards
Angela

[Haz]

Hi Debbie,
I have a batch of baby snails that are still transparent and are about a week old. I live in Kingswinford in West Midlands if you are interested. They are happy and healthy and already trying to escape!

[Dan Salter]

and yesterday i think someone posted saying they have loads of babies they need to get rid of as well?...or was that you haz?