Giant African Land Snails (Achatinidae) 
© Irina / stock.adobe.com
Giant African snails, or 'Achatina' species, are becoming increasingly popular as somewhat unusual pets. However, their care is a subject of debate among animal welfare advocates and requires a great deal of knowledge.
Giant African Land Snails, also known as Achatinidae, rank among the largest terrestrial molluscs. They can grow up to 30cm in length. Their origins are in Africa and many tropical countries. The natural habitat of these sizable creatures is diverse, as they can be found in both arid regions and in areas with heavy rainfall and swamps.
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Appearance: What do Giant African Land Snails look like?
These nocturnal animals have a conical shell, which can grow to be about 7 to 10cm in height and taper towards the back. The shell is usually reddish-brown in colour, though it can vary depending on the snail’s diet. The body itself can grow up to 20cm in length, boasting an impressive overall weight of up to 500g.
In South America, these snails are also known, but they are somewhat smaller, reaching a body length of about 10cm and a weight of 100g. Their shell is about twice as high as it is wide, and has conical whorls.
Even the juveniles have the typical shell characteristics clear to see in the adults. The body of the Giant African Land Snails is dominated by a large foot that allows the snail to crawl. The head houses the tentacles and the mouth. Food intake is done with the radula, akin to a tongue and equipped with tiny teeth. The snail’s organs are situated inside its shell.
Diversity: What species and subspecies exist?
Divided into different genera, Achatinidae vary in the appearance of their shells, including size, colour and shape. Within these genera, there is a multitude of species and subspecies. Particularly well-known is Achatina achatina from West Africa and Achatina fulica, originating from East Africa. Other notable subspecies include Achatina immaculata, native to Southeast Africa, and Achatina reticulata, found primarily in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
© ArtushFoto / stock.adobe.com
Origin: Where are Giant African Land Snails from?
These snails hail from Africa, where they’re widespread across the continent. They have also made many tropical countries their home. To survive extreme heat and aridity, they enter a form of dry hibernation, common in their home countries during the summer months when it’s particularly hot. During this period, they often rest for days, show little activity, and eat very little. Often a calcium-rich seal forms on the shell’s opening, and the snails can sleep for several months. This dry rest is akin to hibernation.
The duration of the dry rest varies depending on the species. For example, Achatina fulica usually only shows reduced activity, while Achatina achatina can rest for up to 10 weeks, and Achatina immaculata is the longest sleeper, with a dry rest period of full 2-5 months.
Diet: What do Giant African Land Snails eat?
These nocturnal creatures usually set out for about two hours at dusk to forage. They feed on plants and carrion and aren’t particularly fussy, consuming almost any type of fruit and vegetable. However, citrus fruits shouldn’t be fed to them as their acidity is harmful for the snails.
If the animals are kept in terrariums, feeding them banana peels, various fruits, types of vegetables, and animal protein sources like beef or fish flake food is suitable. Additionally, you can feed them soaked cat food, ensuring it doesn’t contain additives like salt and copper. Since the shell requires calcium for proper development, you should promote additional calcium intake, for example, by supplementing with cuttlebone.
In the wild, the creatures also forage during the day when the humidity is relatively high, and temperatures rises above 24°C – conditions resembling light rain without direct sunlight. Otherwise, the snails enjoy burrowing into the earth to rest. Interestingly, they can remember feeding spots, returning there to explore if there’s more to be had.
Care: How do you keep Giant African Land Snails?
The Terrarium
These animals are kept in terrariums. The ideal terrarium size and temperature depend on the snail species and their origin. The Achatina achatina, given its larger size, requires quite a bit of space. Accordingly, a more spacious terrarium is needed if more inhabitants will reside there. For a group of five snails, the terrarium size should be at least 80 x 50 x 50cm. The daytime temperature should be around approx. 29°C, and should not fall below 24°C at night. The Achatina fulica can already live in a group of up to eight in a 80 x 50 x 50cm terrarium. Here, the temperature is approximately 25°C during the day and should be 22°C at night.
To maintain constant day and night temperatures, you can integrate heating mats and heat lamps. Always ensure to monitor the temperatures to avoid fluctuations, which can quickly become dangerous for the snails. Moreover, appropriate humidity within the terrarium should be maintained. This can be done by moistening the terrarium with a spray bottle. It’s best to obtain a hygrometer to measure humidity levels, which also vary between species and their origins. For instance, adult Achatina achatina require between 85% and 90% humidity, while Achatina fulica thrive at around 80%.
For the substrate, you can use soil or fine humus. It’s also advisable to equip the terrarium with branches and plants. Cork branches, various woods and mosses are suitable. Since the snails will nibble on the plants, you should replace them regularly for longer usage. Ideally, incorporate a water dish in the terrarium for the creatures to drink from and bathe in.
Socialising
Giant African Land Snails should always be kept with several of their kind. Other than with their species, Achatinidae should not be housed with other animals, such as frogs, in a terrarium. The snails eat everything, making the chances for the frog to have a long life slim.
Lifespan: How long do Giant African Land Snails live?
In terrariums, Giant African Land Snails live for around 10 years. They are hardy and straightforward to maintain given good feeding and care.
© Michal / stock.adobe.com
Purchase: Where can I get Giant African Land Snails?
These snails are commonly offered in pet shops, but they can also be found in the zoo sections of other stores. You can also search online for breeders of Giant African Land Snails. The cost for each snail depends on its size, age, and species.
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At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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