Care of Snails

Snails as Pets:

If you want a non-fussy pet that makes no din, prefers a slow-pace life-style and is easy to take care, you might consider getting yourself a snail. There are various local and exotic snail species that can be kept as pets - although you'll probably need to check your country's regulations regarding some exotic snails; Giant African Land snails, for example, are banned in Canada and the USA.

Some facts about snails:

• Many snails can live up to 8 to 10 years, so you will be making on a long-term commitment; if you're not sure that snails will fascinate you this long, get a local species that can be easily released into the wild if your interest wanes.
• Snails are hermaphrodites; that is, one single snail is both male and female. Yet, most snails need to mate to produce eggs. Some snails however are capable of self-reproduction.
• A single snail can lay 200-400 eggs every season. It's not possible to keep so many snails and it can be detrimental to the environment to release them into the wild, so most snail owners destroy the eggs.
• The slime a snail produces helps it glide across surfaces.
• Snails have fleshy mouths and tiny teeth are found in thousands on the tongue.
• You can tell a healthy snail by a clean, unbroken shell and a even, smooth body.
• Snails like to interact with other snails, so you can keep several as pets. It's best not to keep local and exotic species together, however, as they can infect each other or cross-breed.
• Snails are harmless and you can handle them with equanimity, so long you do it gently and don't pick them up by the shell. It's much better to slide your finger under the snail's body to pick it or to offer it food and let it climb on it and then pick up the food and snail together. Also, remember to wash your hands before and after handing the snail.

Where to keep Snails:

• You can keep your snail in a well-ventilated, clear plastic or glass aquarium with a secure lid; the clear sides of the aquarium will let in plenty of light which the snails need and the secure lid will keep the snails from escaping; snails are surprisingly strong and can lift weights almost 50 times their body weight, so if the lid is not secure they will probably be able to lift it and escape.
• Keep the aquarium in a safe place where it is not likely to be easily overturned, does not catch too much direct sunlight and strong winds, and is not exposed to heat from radiators or any kind of chemical spraying.
• Place thick substrate - cocoa fibers, coir, peat, etc - on the aquarium floor and make sure it is always damp, not too wet.
• Provide nooks and crannies for your pet to hide under and bark and obstacles climbing.
• To maintain a 60-70% humidity in the aquarium, keep a dish of water in it and also spray the inside with water every few days.
• Remember to clean the aquarium, put in new substrate and wash the snails on a weekly basis. Wash with clean water, never with detergents.
  

What to Feed Snails:
Snails eat a wide variety of foods in the wild and you can follow this kind of diet in captivity. Here are some food you can feed your snail -

• Leaves
• Grass
• Fruit
• Bark
• Leafy Green Vegetables
• Calcium

Remember to thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruit and rid them of all pesticides or chemicals before you feed them to your snail. Also, remove all food that is not consumed within a day or two, as it will rot and encourage the growth of pests and mites. For calcium, which snails need to repair or replenish their shells, you can place pieces of cuttlefish bone, chalk, egg-shells or baby milk powder. Snails don't need to drink water - they absorb the water they need from the humidity in the atmosphere - but they do seem to like sitting in water. Place a shallow water dish in the aquarium, so they can sit in it without drowning; the water, as already mentioned, will also maintain the humidity in the aquarium.