COMMON NAME

Giant African Land Snail.

LATIN NAME

Achatina achatina. Achatina fulica (East African) Achatina marginata (West Africa).

NATIVE TO

Africa.

ADULT SIZE

The average adult shell length is about 10 cms. The largest known specimen was 30 cms long when fully extended and had a shell 20 cms in length

EGGS OR YOUNG?

All snails are hermaphrodites. They lay between 30 and 150 eggs which are about 5 mm long and hatch after 10 days. They breed by shooting white darts into each other.

APPEARANCE

Their body colour is brown, streaked and mottled with purple, white and fawn.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

They mainly eat cucumber, lettuce and other vegetables and fruit such as; banana, peach, plums, melon, pear, mango, apples, nectarines, grapes, spinach, cabbage, kale, green beans, peppers, corn on the cob and tomatoes. They will also eat raw mince, brown bread and moistened dog biscuits. Snails are also fond of the occasional drop of beer! They also need calcium and the best source is cuttle fish bone (other sources are clear, crushed eggshells and chalk) to avoid developing a crumbly, rough shell. Snails rasp their food using their tongue-like radula which carries several hundred teeth.

EASE OF CARE

Beginner upwards

TEMPERAMENT

Handle gently to avoid damaging the new shell growth at the base of the shell.

VIVARIUM SETUP

A well ventilated plastic or glass vivarium; a minimum size of 24x18x15in (60x45x38cm) will house two snails. Temperature 70-74F/21-23C. You may need a heat mat during the winter. Mist daily to provide drinking water.

SUBSTRATE

Moistened general purpose potting compost which must be changed weekly. This should be at least 1-2 inches deep to allow the snail to bury itself as it would in the wild.