Giant african snails

[Fuzzy Pickles]

Hey there.

The petshop which my friend works at snails have just had babys about a week ago. He took ten home. I set up a tank and he gave me too. I've put peat in the bottom on the tank with a piece of lettuce with te two snails on it. I spray them with water when they are looking dry or the peat is looking dry. Does anybody have anymore advice for me? These snails are smaller then peas and I want them to grow. Do I need to change the lettuce?

[xscrunchee]

Hello,
So far it sounds as though you are doing great! You a right to spray them as they should not be allowed to dry out. It might be a good idea to fill a spray bottle and leave it for 24 hours before you use it. This is supposed to make the water a little safer for the snails so that some of the harmful chemicals such as chlorine can escape.
Another important thing which snails need is cuttle fish. Y'know the large white chalky thing which people give to budgies etc. They need the cuttle fish to be able to build their shells.
It is best to change their food every day if you can or at least as soon as it stops looking fresh. They also like to eat cucumber, apple, pear, tomatoe, spinach, cabbage, radish, swede etc. Most fruit and veg really but not citrus. Always wash the food before giving it to them just in case it has been sprayed with pesticides! I used to give mine frozen vegetables sometimes, but of course-defrost the food first.
Another thing which snails love and it helps them to grow strong and healthy is beer or lager. Only ever offer them a small amount in a shallow dish, being careful that it is not deep enough that they could fall in and drown. They really do love it but they do not need to have it very often if at all.
Erm............ I can't think of much else at the moment other than to make sure that you keep them well away from salt. For instance, don't handle them if you have eaten crisps or something like that. Also remember that if you have two they will breed. When they breed both snails will lay eggs and they can lay hundreds each. It is not always easy to find homes for giant African land snails, nor is it really possible to look after hundreds/thousands yourself so you may want to think about what you are going to do with the eggs when they lay them. The kindest thing you can do to be honest is to keep a very close eye on your tank and as soon as you see any eggs remove them all and put them in a freezer bag or container and pop them into the freezer for 24 hours before disposing of them in the dustbin.
It may sound harsh but you will never be able to re-home that many snails, and even if you did, you will have hundreds more in a few weeks-then what? So it is far nicer to destroy a batch of eggs rather than being lumbered with thousands of snails and not being able to care for them properly.

I hope that I have been able to help you out. Any other questions you may think of, just ask and I will do my best.
Sorry that this message is so long. lol

Jay xx

[Jimo]

Useful links here about Giant African Snails

Giant Snails, Once a Delicacy, Overrun Brazil

Giant African Snail | MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

Giant African snail

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=1301

Giant African Land Snail- Achatina fulica

Keeping such a dangerous and destructive creatures is a very stupid
thing to do. (yes I know the whole of UK does it, the rest of the world is trying to get rid of them)

Jim