Land snails are unpretentious and cute pets. Many breeders believe that these gastropods have a very high intelligence, and it’s a pleasure to watch them.
It should be noted that the land snail at home is not so rare. The popularity of these gastropods is determined by various factors. So, snails are not at all boring, as it might initially seem. In addition, they are incredibly convenient in maintenance, since they do not require large financial costs and special care.
They can be left at home alone with a calm soul, going on vacation, because such creatures are walked and sometimes the veterinarian does not need to be shown. In most cases, domestic land snails can not be carriers of parasites and other diseases, in addition, they are hypoallergenic.
The benefits of snails
Next, we consider how the land snail compares favorably with other domestic animals:
- no noise;
- does not require walks;
- does not smell;
- almost everything eats;
- Does not stain clothes and furniture with wool;
- does not require expensive, complex or frequent care;
- It does not scratch or bite;
- does not take up much space;
- you can take a snail with you on vacation, and also leave alone at home;
- practically does not get sick and lives for a long time;
- does not cause allergies.
Types of land snails
These creatures are great for home content. For example, the land snail of Achatina is considered the most popular inhabitant of terrariums.
Achatina fulica is a large snail, in which the shell reaches 20 cm in length. In nutrition, she is not picky, while very inert. Most of the time the snail rests.
Achatina immaculate is distinguished by a strip along the entire head, as well as a pinkish rim running along its shell.
Achatina reticulate is a curious and agile member of the family.
The land snail of Achatina vulgaris has a tiger color and gigantic dimensions, its carapace reaches 20 cm in length. At home, she has more modest parameters.
In addition to Achatina, grape snails are also popular among domestic breeders, which are distinguished by a huge variety of colors, while much smaller than Achatina. Their shells reach a length of 5 cm and 4.5 cm in height.
Advantages
The main advantages of these pets is their low maintenance. The land snail at home perfectly lives in terrariums or small aquariums. It is clear that there is no need to walk such a pet. When caring for animals, financial costs are also small, they can be fed with fruits and vegetables in small quantities. For land snails, soil replacement can only be done once a month, and its cost is low.
Content
It is worth noting that the content of land snails is very simple. This will require a 10 liter glass terrarium. The upper part of the terrarium should have small openings for normal ventilation, so that pets can not crawl through them. In the terrarium, the temperature should be constant and not exceed 27 ° C.
It is advisable to place the heating sources on the outside of the aquarium - they can be thermal cords or thermal mats. At the same time, internal sources of heat for land snails are dangerous, since they can get serious burns.
As a soil it is better to use a coconut substrate. The thickness of the flooring should correspond to the total size of the snails, which will allow gastropods to completely dig into it during daytime sleep. It is necessary to maintain a constant soil moisture, for which it will be sufficient to lightly spray it with water once a day. Do not over-wet it.
The soil must be loosened periodically. But in the terrarium it is necessary to plant green non-toxic plants, for example, leaf lettuce or cat grass.
Continuing to figure out how to care for land snails, it is worth noting that their aquarium needs a weekly general cleaning. Every day, it is recommended to wipe its walls with a damp cloth, while not using household chemicals.
Land snails are very fond of water procedures. To do this, they can be bathed under a thin stream of slightly warm water or in a shallow separate bowl. The pet sink also requires special care; it must be cleaned of dirt during bathing with a soft brush.
If something irreparable happened - for example, a sink crashed, or a hole appeared in it, try to glue it with BF glue. Such a snail has very few chances to survive, but they still exist. At the same time, in young animals, any damage to the shell is delayed without problems, while adults suffer much more (although their shell is more durable). But a snail with a shell chopped into smithereens can no longer be saved.
Food
In land snails, the basis of nutrition is plant food. Pets are happy to eat all kinds of greens, as well as fruits and vegetables, which are served in chopped small slices. Solid products should initially be passed through a grater.
Land snails, as a complement to their plant diets, enjoy various protein foods with pleasure - fish food, mashed seafood and meat, gammarus, daphnia. Such feeding should be offered to pets several times each week.
Various salty foods should not be offered to domestic snails, since salt is poison for any gastropod!
For the proper development and strength of the shell, calcium in the form of sepia or crushed eggshell can be introduced into the diet of your pets.
Breeding
Snails are hermaphrodites, which means that keeping two or more individuals in one terrarium can lead to their fertilization. The majority of these mollusks lay their eggs, although live-bearing species are also found. Basically, the snail buries its masonry in the ground, while it is advisable not to miss this moment, since the masonry from the terrarium is removed and placed neatly in a separate container.
In this case, you must observe the same soil texture and humidity, where adults live. Soon the little snails hatch, after which they crawl to the surface. Kids are completely ready for life and feed on food that their parents eat, but until the shell gets stronger, it is better not to plant them with large snails.
