4 Ways to Keep Snails

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Snails can be pets for beginners. Although they move very slowly, snails are very pleasant to look at and easier to care for than most other pets.

Step

Method 1 of 4: Picking Snails

Step 1. Decide what kind of snail you want

Snails are sometimes hard to find in pet stores. Because snails are better known as pests than pets, there are separate regulations for where to buy and sell snails. In the United States, it is illegal to import snails from other countries, and your country may have laws against importing species from other countries.

Local snails can be found in parks and wooded areas. This snail may be the best type of snail for your first pet.
Popular snails such as the Giant African Snail, Decollate Snail, Giant Ghana Tiger Snail, and Margie are all types of snails that are illegal in the United States.
Snails can live for 3-15 years in a cage. Keep in mind that keeping snails is a long-term commitment-if you don't intend to keep them that long, choose a local species so you can release them into the wild if you wish.
Snails like garden plants for food and non-native snails can cause damage to local ecosystems if released.
Remember, snails are not just reptiles with shells. If you want to keep slugs (shellless snails), you have to figure out how to keep your slugs healthy and happy, not snails.

Step 2. Consider buying more than one snail

Snails love stimulation, and having friends to interact with will keep them entertained and happy. Keeping more than one snail also makes the snail more pleasant to look at.

The difference in caring for one and two snails is very small, so you won't be spending a lot of money or wasting time if you buy a companion for your snail.
Try to buy snails of the same species, because if the species are different, one species may carry pests or diseases that harm other snails.
Groups of snails tend to gather to sleep together, which means that snails need a companion or group.

Method 2 of 4: Creating a Habitat

Step 1. Buy a tank or plastic cage for snails

Snails can live in a variety of cages – look for a transparent cage with good ventilation and enough space for your pet to walk around and explore the cage. Make sure the cage cover is closed tightly - the snail can lift 10-50 times its own body weight, so it can lift loose and fuzzy cage covers.

If you're not sure what size cage is right for your snails, use this calculator to find the right cage size based on the species and number of snails you want to keep.
According to the site, a large “pet pal” or “critter carrier” is suitable for land snails because the edges are made of transparent plastic and the enclosure cover is well ventilated.
Glass tanks and aquariums are also good cages for snails although the heavy glass makes these cages difficult to clean and transport.
A clear, translucent plastic container from a home supply store can also be used as a cage. Just make sure you punch holes in the cover and sides so your snail can breathe.
Wash the container before creating a habitat in it. Use boiling water and a mild detergent, then rinse the container thoroughly. You must absolutely sure all the detergent has been rinsed well otherwise you could poison the snails.
Avoid using wooden or cardboard containers as they will rot. Snails can even eat cardboard.

Step 2. Cover the bottom of the container with a 2.5-5 cm thick planting medium of your choice

Commonly used growing media include peat, coir, potting soil, and humus. Look for planting media that is sterilized and does not contain pesticides or fertilizers, as these two ingredients can harm snails.

Do not use sand, gravel, stones, shells, or other hard materials that cannot be excavated.
Peat, coir, and potting soil are good growing media for snails to dig. This planting medium can be found in pet stores, or garden supply stores.
Spray water over the planting medium in the morning and at night to keep it moist. Don't let the planting medium get too wet for water to float-you just have to make the planting medium feel damp in your hands.
Add a little sphagnum moss to keep the growing medium moist.
Be aware that the soil from your yard may contain pests or contain pesticides that will harm snails.

Step 3. Decorate the habitat you created with items that snails can climb or hide in

Avoid hard objects such as rocks, bricks or ceramics – snails can fall from the sides of their habitat and if their shell hits a hard surface, it can crack and harm your snail.

Look for flower pots made of plastic or polythene. Place it inside the side of the cage and split it in half to make a cave. You can also turn the flowerpot upside down, and cut a small hole for the slug to get in and hide in it.
Look for organic material that won't rot quickly, such as tree bark or dried tree trunks. When visiting a pet store, head to the reptile section for something the snails can play with.
Low water containers can be a place to drink, a place to play, and can also increase the level of humidity in the cage. Look for a container that is not too deep and do not fill the container with too much water because the snails can drown. Try using a drink holder for reptiles made of resin.

Step 4. Pay attention to the temperature and humidity of the habitat

The temperature in the cage should be between 17-30°C, or around room temperature. Check the soil daily to make sure it doesn't dry out.

If your home gets very cold in the winter, it's a good idea to purchase a heating pad to keep the heat and humidity out of the snail's cage. Glue the base on the sides of the cage until it covers 1/3 of the sides of the cage. That way, if the snail finds it too warm, it can move to a cooler part of the cage

Method 3 of 4: Feeding Snails

Step 1. Feed the snails raw fruits and vegetables every few days

Snails like various types of food, such as apples, mushrooms, tomatoes, bananas, strawberries, carrots, vegetables, and many more. Try feeding them a variety of foods to see which ones your snails prefer.

Snails also love cat or dog treats, both dry and wet, as well as turtle food.
Place a feeding tray in the cage to make it easier for you to get rid of rotting food.
Do not give your snails salt or salty food. Salt can kill snails.

Step 2. Provide a source of calcium for your snails

Calcium is essential for keeping snail shells healthy and strong. Cuttlefish bones are very cheap and easy to find at pet stores, and cuttlefish bones can provide enough calcium for snails. Keep the washed cuttlefish bones in the cage at all times.

Egg shells and calcium supplements are another easy way to add calcium to your snail's diet.
Snails can absorb calcium through their bodies. The snail will sit on the cuttlefish bone and will crush the bone with its feet.

Step 3. Always clean the food before giving it to your snails. Pesticides that are still in food can poison and kill snails. Never skip this step, even if you are using organic fruits and vegetables.

Make sure you also wash the snail calcium source

Method 4 of 4: Caring for Snails

Step 1. Learn how to hold a snail properly

If the snails are on the sides of the cage, spray water on your hands and snails. Slide your finger under the snail's head and between the snail and the sides of the cage. Use your other hand to support the snail's body and gently pull on the snail as you slide your fingers under the snail's body. Put the snail in the palm of your hand.

Make sure your hands are wet whenever you touch the snail.
If you can't get your finger under the snail's head, offer a small amount of food in front of its face so the head will stick out and you can slide your finger under it.
Wash your hands before and after handling snails to prevent disease transmission.
Don't force the snail to move. If the snail is having a hard time getting off the side of the cage, try to pick it up later.
If you have very small snails, try getting them to climb onto food or leaves and transfer them to your hands. Trying to lift a small snail with your hands will hurt the snail.
Be careful not to pull the snail shell. If you accidentally remove the snail shell from its body, your snail will die.

Step 2. Remove the snail eggs from the ground

Unless you want dozens, if not hundreds of baby snails, you'll need to get rid of the eggs before they hatch. Snail eggs are round and white or transparent. You may find a few eggs or hundreds of eggs. Snail eggs take two weeks to hatch, so check the snail eggs in the growing medium weekly.

Kill the snail eggs by putting them in a bag and placing them in the freezer. Make sure the eggs are completely frozen before throwing them outside.
Don't throw the eggs out right away, especially if you have a non-local species of snail.
If you are concerned about the snail eggs, do not use too much growing medium under the cage. That way, it will be easy for you to find and arrange snail eggs.

Step 3. Clean the cage once a month

Place the snails in a temporary cage and remove all the contents of the cage. Wash the cage with boiling water and a small amount of mild detergent. Rinse the cage thoroughly - residual detergent can be life threatening for snails.

Wipe all parts of the cage with water once a week to prevent it from getting too dirty.
Remove any trash or spoiled food that you haven't had time to throw in the cage.
Clean the planting medium or replace the planting medium with a new one under the cage.
If you're having trouble removing the snail slime stain from the sides of the cage, try cleaning the stain with a little vinegar.

Step 4. Bathe your snails

Occasionally cleaning your snails with water (about once a month) can prevent them from being attacked by pests. Place the snails in a low container filled with room temperature water and pour a small amount of water over the snail's body. Do not submerge the snails in water because the snails can drown.

Use your fingers, a soft cloth, or a soft toothbrush to scrub the fragile snail shells. Don't use anything abrasive to clean the snails.
Never use soap or detergent to clean snails. You can only use water.

Tips

If you feed the snails, and the snail droppings are orange like carrots or green like lettuce, don't worry. This is normal.
Keep the snail cage away from cats, dogs, and other large pets.
Slugs have a different way of surviving than snails, so don't put slugs in the snail's cage.
Get an instruction sheet from the pet store or seek tips from the store clerk on how to care for snails.
Be careful with snail shells.