Hi there! I just started following so sorry if this is a major repeat question. I used to keep fish and had dabbled in water snails, but I can't have a tank at the moment and was interested in a snail-terrarium (I'm into plants so I figured putting one together with the snail add in wouldn't be hard, but I don't really know how to go about it. What are the basics of land snail keeping?? Thanks!!!
i’ve never gotten this question before and you have no idea how excited i am to answer it. my time has come.
Oh, and if you’re looking for advice on care for giant african land snails, I unfortunately can’t help you. They’re illegal where I live so I can really only help in terms of native/garden snails :0( !
I’m going to sum things up easily since my own attention span is so short and paragraphs might be harder to read for this…
But I do suggest you read everything, as all of it is important. Sorry if this is a super long post!
Ideally, acrylic house/container to live in. Must have breathing holes and a lid which can’t super easily be opened (snails are escape artists)
Substrate changes depending on the size of snail. For smaller snails I recommend using a damp paper towel (and change every few days) but for larger snails I recommend coconut shavings and sphagnum moss.
Enrichment is needed! Snails are curious and need places to explore, and places to hide. I’m using a recycled kinder egg capsule for Cube, which is even better since it’s reused (and basically free. And Cube, my snail, loves it!)
Daily water mistings are a must. Snails live in moist environments - why we often see them after it rains - and I highly suggest using rain water especially if your snail was feral/wild.
Environment must be kept clean! Clean out any snail shit you might find ASAP.
Pretty much anything a human can eat. It would be good to know the kind of snail though, because some land snails prefer “meat” (eggs, carcasses of other dead bugs and things) but almost all snails love vegetables. It’s important to note that snails can become addicted to one food easily if fed too much of it, so try to have variety. Although, snails can be extremely picky eaters…
And please be careful of what you feed your snail too. No pesticides or chemicals. All food gets washed well before feeding.
Before I continue: Calcium powder on everything. I paid 10$ for a bottle of it at petsmart and it will last me a life time. Brush calcium powder in the nooks and crannies of all food.
It’s also easier for snails to eat hard vegetables if you blanch or boil them before feeding it to them. But make sure it’s cooled off first!!
Carrots (Cube’s personal fave)
Dandelion leaves (from outside)
Other things to consider (yes, even for land snails.)
Human skin is salty, be sure to wash hands before setting your snail on your skin
Hairs are pokey, try to place your snail in a [mostly] hairless part of your body
Smaller snails can be woken up by breathing (NOT blowing) warm breath into their shell. Sounds gross, but the warmth from your breath will wake them up. (I speak from experience)
Bigger snails can be woken up by gently stroking their tail/foot with your finger. (I speak from experience, it works every time, dont ask me why.)
Don’t try to lift your snail up if they’ve suctioned themselves to something!! Pulling their shell to hard can hurt them.
When you’re handling them, they may rasp (lick) you. This surprisingly kind of hurts, but they only do it because they think you’re food (and will quickly learn you are not!)
They may be deaf, but their skin can sense vibrations. Please don’t yell or make too many loud noises while you’re handling them, as this could cause stress.
Please no strong perfumes, lotions, hand sanitizers, etc while you handle snails. They navigate their world through touch, smell, and taste primarily. Anything too strong may cause pain.
No bright lights please! Snails have simple eyes which mean they can’t truly see, and can only really detect where a light source is. Nonetheless, bright lights are bad for their eyes.
When handling snails, getting gloves isn’t a bad idea. No snail skin hurts, and no rasping! I personally don’t use gloves, but I only really touch my snail if he’s pretending to be a race car. nyoom!
Be gentle in general. Broken shells can potentially kill a snail. This is also why calcium powder is very important.
They’re very curious and like to explore. They explore through touch, taste, and smell.
Probably faster than you might think they are. Whenever you have your snail out of their home, which you should often since they can get depressed if they’re all cooped up (just like humans,) please keep a close eye on them!
If you’re keeping more than one snail, you’re taking the risk of having a clutch of eggs or two. Snails are hermaphrodites which means they possess female and male reproductive organs. They cannot self-fertilize, and do need a partner for it, but be careful!
Rasping, as mentioned above, is a thing they do. If you’re keeping other snails, they might do this to other snails on their shells - so be careful!
All snails have individual personalities and like different things, as well as behave differently and respond to stimuli differently. Keep this in mind as you’re keeping your snail(s)!
Most garden snails only live for about a year or two (sad face :0( !)
Learn snail anatomy, even basic stuff! You’ll learn cool things like… How they shit through their nose. Yes. Thats actually true.
Try to ID your snail based on your location, their individual behavior, and their “look.” This can also help you determine diet.
Copper hurts snails a lot. If you’ve been working with copper, sorting pennies (you know, as ya’ do.) or etc, try not to handle your snails for a while and be sure to wash your hands before you do, just to be sure.
This is very important, but please let your snails out of their house at least once a day for 30 minutes. Constant sleeping or inactivity for long periods of time is an indicator that your snail isn’t feeling their best. Let them explore things outside of their home. Just like humans, snails which are cooped up in a confined space (which may seem huge to them, still;) they can get - basically depressed. They’ll seem to only really sleep… all… the time… This is just their way of letting you know they’re feeling a bit down and would like some time outside. I keep Cube on the lid of his container (it acts like a dish) along with some food and a structure to climb on or hide in.
And I think thats everything. Wow, I’ll surely be saving this for another time. Any other snail owners, feel free to add onto this!
I hope this helps you friend!
