Snails are one of the friendly pets and also easy to care for. To keep snails, a moist cage is needed, as well as vegetables as healthy food and also has a fairly high mineral content. Snails are animals that can live in groups, therefore you can keep more than one. If you provide a comfortable cage and also take good care of it, then the snails you keep can survive for several years. This article will provide you with information on how to care for mainland snails; visit the How to Care for Water Snails page for information on how to care for water snails.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Cage
Step 1. Select the appropriate cage
Snails must live in a humid environment. Therefore it will be much easier if you prepare a cage made of glass or plastic. The cage you prepare must have good ventilation, and must also have a roof covering. The size of the cage must be able to accommodate the snails properly so that they can live comfortably. Also, make sure the cage is easy to clean. Consider the following factors when you are choosing a cage:
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Snails need space to move freely. A small or medium sized cage will usually suffice. However, if you are going to keep more than one snail, or you are going to keep the African snail which is the larger one, then you will need to prepare a larger cage.
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Snails can climb as high as 10-50 times their body weight. This means that the cage you choose must have a very tight cover to prevent it from collapsing.
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Snails need a lot of air. Do not choose a cage that does not have good ventilation. If you have a tightly closed cage, make a few holes for air to circulate.
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Snails need light. Do not use a cage that is opaque or does not absorb light. Therefore, look for a cage made of clear plastic or glass.
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Snails can eat cardboard. Do not choose cages made of materials that snails can eat.
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Step 2. Line the bottom of the cage
Make the cage atmosphere in accordance with the type of native environment of the snails that you keep so that the snails can live healthily and avoid stress. Make sure the materials you use are clean and pesticide-free; The soil from behind your house may not be usable because it may contain substances that can be harmful to slugs. Here are some materials you can use for your snail cage lining:
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Clay. Clay is not very strong but still has a good level of moisture. If you want to add live plants to the cage, make sure the clay you use can support the life of the plants you want to grow.
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Humus. Also called compost, is a coating material that has a very high nutrient content which can be good food for your snails or for the plants you grow in the cage.
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Dry soil. Snails love to live in dry soil. But it can also be a home for pests. So don't use this if you're worried about pests growing in the cage.
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Ordinary land. This is the cheapest option and is also quite good for snails. Make sure the soil you choose is free of pesticides.
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Fiber. This option is also a cheap option and also the most widely used material as a coating in snail cages. Coir can keep moisture well, but coir can also be a place to live for pests and insects.
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Step 3. Add supports to the cage
Snails love to walk around as well as hide, so keep them happy by adding some support in the cage such as a climbing platform. Avoid sharp objects such as ceramics or stones, as these can harm the snail and its shell if the snail falls or slips. Choose an object based on the following suggestions:
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Wooden sticks or tree trunks. You can buy durable wooden sticks at pet stores, which are often used in cages for turtles, snakes, or other amphibians.
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Hollow piece of wood. You can choose a piece of wood that has a hole in the center to be placed in the snail's cage. The hole in the center of this lump of wood can be a good hiding place for snails.
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Plant. Choose live plants that are similar to the native environment of the snails you raise. You can also place plastic plants which are easy to clean.
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Step 4. Create a suitable climate
In addition to having a cage that has good ventilation, snails also need a warm and humid climate. The ideal temperature for snails is between 21-23 °C, but they usually also do well at higher or lower temperatures. However, you have to make sure that the undercoat of the cage keeps it moist at all times.
- If you are worried that your snails are feeling cold, then you can purchase a heater. The heater should cover about 2/3 of the cage area so that if the snails feel too hot they can move to a cooler area.
- Keep the undercoat (and snails) moist by spraying water every day. Make sure the water you use is clean or sterile to keep snails healthy.
Method 2 of 3: Providing Calcium and Food
Step 1. Give the snail calcium
Snails need a lot of calcium to keep their shells healthy and strong. You must provide a source of calcium in the cage at all times. Cuttlefish bones are one of the best sources of calcium that you can get at pet stores. But you can also give eggshells instead.
Step 2. Give the snails food
Snails can eat a number of different foods, some of which you can easily find in your refrigerator or kitchen. Give food to snails every day. You can use a small bowl as a food container so it doesn't mix with the lining material at the bottom of the cage. If you find the food is not being eaten by the snails, then you should throw it away, otherwise it will lead to mold growth and can also attract insects. Follow these suggestions the next time you feed your snails:
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You can buy special food for snails, or also food for turtles. These special foods usually contain a lot of nutrients and are also healthy for your snails. However, it's much better if you have other types of food on hand just in case your snails don't like that particular food.
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Give the snails fruits and vegetables. Snails can usually eat various types of plants. If they don't like something, then they won't eat it. So, try different types of fruits and vegetables until you find out which one your snail likes. Try berries, tubers, lettuce, cabbage, apples, pears, broccoli, beans, cucumbers, kale or spinach, and a variety of other vegetables and fruits.
Care for Snails Step 6Bullet2 - Feed the snails a small amount of grain. You can also give moistened oats to your snails. You can also feed your snails a small amount of powdered milk, raw meat, or crushed bones.
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Avoid foods that can be harmful to snails when eaten. Avoid feeding your snails with rice, grains, pasta, or other foods that have a sharp texture which can harm your snails. Also avoid foods that contain salt. Lastly, don't feed your snails nuts that are treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
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Step 3. Provide a water container
This is the most recommended thing. Although snails get moisture from the lining of the bottom of the cage, snails really like water for drinking and bathing. Choose a shallow water place, which makes it easier for the snails to climb in and out, because if it is too deep the snails may drown.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning the Cages and Snails
Step 1. Change the bottom lining of the cage periodically
Once a week may be enough, but replace it immediately if the undercoat looks dirty. Also replace immediately if the undercoat soaks or you notice pest growth on the undercoat.
Step 2. Clean the cage every week
Wash the cage using hot water and a cleaning agent, then rinse again to remove any liquid that comes out of the snail as it crawls. It is very important that you clean the cage regularly to avoid mold growth that can threaten the life of your snail.
- When you clean the cage, place the snails in a plastic container with a lid; Make sure there is a hole in the top for airflow.
- Also clean supporting equipment, as well as food and water containers. If the supporting equipment looks damaged, then you can replace it.
Step 3. Bathe the snails
It's a very good idea to bathe your snails to prevent them from getting sick. Place the snail in a shallow container and fill it with room temperature water, then slowly pour more water over the snail's body. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean the shell; don't brush too hard as this can damage the shell, and don't use soap.
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Do not use cleaning fluid to clean snails or their shells. This will be very dangerous and can kill your snail.
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You can apply sesame oil on the shell to make it shine.
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Suggestion
- Don't throw away the cage if you see black dots on the top as they may be eggs.
- Don't leave your snails unattended for long periods of time.
- Remember to clean the cage, snails, and supporting equipment regularly.
- When breeding snails, let them have their own private territory, usually the female will return to that place and deposit her eggs there.
- Make sure you wash your hands before you handle snails.
- Allow your snail to walk outside the cage 5-10 centimeters. Be aware of other animals such as cats or dogs that may be able to eat your snails.
Attention
- Baby snails are very vulnerable, so try not to hold them or if necessary you should be careful. Also keep in mind that it's possible for the baby snail to be killed by an adult snail.
- If you don't provide calcium, your snail will eat its own shell to get calcium.
- Snails can die if given food that contains salt.
