In the United States, Giant African Land Snails (Achatina fulica) are illegal to own, because they are considered an invasive species. Housing a Giant Snail. And if you are heating the cage, it will dry out faster, so you will need to make sure the humidity is maintained. Land snails move by gliding along on their muscular foot, which is lubricated with mucus and covered with epithelial cilia. The tank temperature would need to be between 70 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so you would have to use heat strips, which will require you to pay closer attention to the humidity. Their diet includes mostly vegetables and fruits. It was reintroduced in 2011, and eradication efforts are currently underway. These type of containers allow easy cleaning and you will be able to watch your snails through the sides. Giant African land snails (GALS) could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas because they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments. Out of stock. The shell is the location where the Giant African Land Snail takes refuge from predators. The adult snail is around 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in height and 20 centimetres (7.9 in) or more in length. The snail will drink the water and also bathe in it to keep its shell hydrated. Snails secrete mucus externally to keep their soft bodies from drying out. This snail species has been considered a significant cause of pest issues around the world. The snails like to burrow, so when you have your tank, fill it with several centimeters of peat-free compost and a large piece of bark. Included in the kit - 1 snail of your choice from the drop down list, 1 bag of coir substrate, 1 bag of moss, 1 cuttlefish bone They're not carnivorous, but they are omnivores, so they will eat almost anything. Mist the tank daily to keep the substrate slightly damp (not wet, however). Common Name (s): Giant African Land Snail, East African Land Snail, West African Land Snail, Tiger Snail, Scientific Name(s): Achatina fulica, Achatina marginata, Achatina achatina, Adult Size: Achatina fulica grow to 3 or 4 inches long (shell length), and Achatina achatina can have a shell up to 11 inches long (the body inside would stretch to about 15 inches long), Life Expectancy: Average about 5 to 6 years, but can live up to 10 years, Difficulty of Care: Advanced, because from acquisition to making sure they don't breed and infest, you have to be on top of these snails. Two snails are still actually needed for breeding, but they are very prolific breeders. When this happens in captivity, the snail forms a membrane over the opening of its shell and seals itself inside, hiding the cute, curious face that makes it a good pet, and requiring you to mist and monitor the heat closely to bring it back out. © 2019 Animals A to Z for Kids, All rights reserved. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. East African land snails reach 4 to 8 inches long. Buy Giant African land snail baby - Achatinidae or Achatina Fulica Giant African baby snail. It is known to eat at least 500 different species of plants. As a result, a much smaller number of snails can eat a larger quantity of crops, harming agricultural production in the process. WLRN-Miami Herald News reporter Kaylois Henry snagged a recipe for giant African land snail stew from Sheri Restaurant, a … One of the largest and most damaging snails on Earth, giant African land snails (GALS) first invaded southern Florida in the 1960s. Similar Pets to the Giant African Land Snail, Axolotl (Mexican Walking Fish): Species Profile. The giant African land snail, is the largest species of snail found on land and generally grow to around 20 cm in length. While the giant African land snail might seem like a fun exotic pet to keep, it's considered one of the most invasive pests in the world. # 4. Giant African land snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both the female and male reproductive organs. Be prepared to clean the bowl frequently. Some of them have been known to live up to 10 years. Latest Snail News. … Shell is helicoid (spiral) in shape and has dark brown to fawn colouration with a series of black radial stripes begining in the centre and spiraling out. Eradication efforts are ongoing (2015). You can't legally purchase this animal in the United States. These huge snails are relentless omnivores, and have been known to chew through plaster walls (theoretically because they contain trace amounts of calcium, which snails need for shell health). # 3. Common Name (s): Giant African Land Snail, East African Land Snail, West African Land Snail, Tiger Snail Scientific Name(s) : Achatina fulica , Achatina marginata , Achatina achatina Adult Size : Achatina fulica grow to 3 or 4 inches long (shell length), and Achatina achatina can have a shell up to 11 inches long (the body inside would stretch to about 15 inches long) They can also occasionally be fed cuttlefish bone, which is commonly used as a calcium source for healthy shell growth. Pieces of wood, cork bark or clay flower pots provide an interesting landscape and hiding spots for the snails. Required fields are marked *. Scientists consider the giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica, to be one of the most damaging snails in the world. It's also considered one of the most destructive. Their diet includes a wide range of commercially farmed crops making them a pest in several agricultural areas. Giant African snails are believed to carry a parasite (in its slime, no less) that is responsible for a form of meningitis that is harmful to humans. Despite their voracious appetites, many people in the U.K. and Asia keep these snails as pets, describing the snails as having cute faces and expressive eyes. Vector = An organism that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another, Pathogens = A bacterium, virus or other microorganisms that can cause disease, Hey Kids, my name is Gina the Giant African Land Snail and I am very happy to meet you. GAS is one of the most damaging snails in the world because it consumes at least 500 types of plants and can cause structural damage to plaster and stucco structures. This muscular action is clearly visible when a snail is crawling on the glass of a window or aquarium. The best home for a Giant Land Snail is a small glass or plastic aquarium-style tank as these are easy to clean and you will be able to watch your snails through the sides. The snail was rediscovered in 2011. The Giant African Land Snail is an unwanted visitor to the United States. Some people like snails and some do not. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling a snail. Giant African land snail size depends on their species, and environmental factors such as access to calcium in their diet. Quick View "Eobania Vermiculata" A Couple of Pet Snails (2 pcs) They eat over 500 different plant varieties. # 2. Is It Legal to Own a Pet Giant African Land Snail? Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who's written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. The giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world, consuming at least 500 different types of plants. In rare instances the snails will consume each other. The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica or GAS) was first found in southern Florida in the 1960s, and it took 10 years and $1 million to eradicate it. Getting up to almost eight inches in length, the Giant African Land snail is … The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica, formerly Achatina fulica)was originally introduced to Hawaii in 1936 and Florida in 1966. Achatina fulica is a species of large land snail that belongs in the family Achatinidae. The color is not always the same; it depends on the environmental conditions of the site where the snail dwells. This snail is listed as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world. Protein. (If you collect the bark yourself make sure that you soak it in water overnight to remove any nasty chemicals). Infestations of giant African land snails can be a significant threat to indigenous plant life just about anywhere the animals live. Giant African land snail baby - Achatinidae or Achatina Fulica. Now that you know more about this type of snail by learning the key data above, be sure also to check out the fun facts. Snails need calcium to keep their shells strong and barring a source of readily available calcium, they have been known to gnaw through plaster walls, which provides trace amounts of the mineral. Giant African land snails are eaten as bar snacks in Nigeria. # 3. # 5. My pet snails. They will also spend time inside of their shells when the temperatures begin to dip too low at night for their comfort. However, if you discover one and bring it to the attention of the USDA, the agency is likely to be grateful for the assistance and you won't be penalized. Giant African land snails eat nearly constantly in the wild. Lissachatina Fulica is a species of large land snail that belongs in the family Achatinidae. Choose a heavy dish so that the snail doesn’t tip it over. These snails could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas as they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments. Giant African Land Snail Behavior and Temperament. Giant African land snails need a source of calcium to keep their shells healthy. A fulica can reportedly lay up to 1,200 viable eggs per year, with several hundreds of … Due to the risk of becoming a successful invasive species and being a serious agricultural pest, importation of giant African land snails into the United States is not permitted, and it is illegal to keep them as pets in the U.S. At nearly 8 inches long and up to 5 inches in diameter, the Giant African Snail is one of the largest land snails in the world. The substrate will need to be cleaned out weekly. Especially the French! Internationally, it … My GIANT African Land Snail & Her Babies! Giant African Land Snails are illegal in the US because of their extreme invasive tendencies. It shares the common name "giant African snail" with other species of snails such as Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata. Internationally, it is the most frequently occurring invasive species of snail. This snail species has been considered a significant cause of pest issues around the world. It's a good idea to wear gloves if you're going to handle a giant African land snail; the animal's slime, or ooze, is believed to contain parasites toxic to humans. In Ghana, giant tiger land snails are considered a … They feed on a variety of plant’s, vegetables and fruit. Giant African land snails are actually hermaphrodites, which means they possess both female and male reproductive organs. It will sometimes eat sand, very small stones, bones from carcasses and even concrete as calcium sources for its shell. Snails move at a proverbially low speed (1 mm/s is a typical speed for adult Helix lucorum). Some people like snails so much that they eat them. It is known to eat at least 500 different types of plants, including breadfruit, cassava, cocoa, papaya, peanut, rubber, and most varieties of beans, peas, cucumbers, and melons. Place a shallow dish of water by the snail's food. How long do Giant African Land Snails live for? Lissachatina Fulica is a species of large land snail that belongs in the family Achatinidae. Moistening your hands before holding them is recommended by some owners. When fully mature, these snails may reach lengths of almost 8 inches (30cm) with a diameter of 4 inches (10cm). It is also very important to give the Giant African Land Snails a higher protein meal once or … If you're caught trying to bring one into the country you could be fined by the United States Department of Agriculture. While a snail can self-repair minor cracks in its shell, some cracks may leave its body exposed, which may lead to dehydration. Download questions about the Giant African Land Snail here: Giant African Land Snail (answers are on this page), Your email address will not be published. To the US Department of Agriculture, this snail is an issue, largely because of its size. Giant African land snails are eaten in many countries and sold as canned pet food for skinks, turtles, monitors, and small animals. They have an average lifespan of about 5-7 years. When they have enough food, and the weather is satisfactory, they tend to live much longer. The name "Achatina" is from "achates", Greek for agate Two snails are still needed for breeding, but they are very prolific breeders. # 1. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (GALS for short.) The shell is most fragile at the base where it is next to the body, so try to avoid picking them up by this part of the shell, and be careful to provide solid support to the body and shell. Snails need constant moisture in order to prevent dehydration and shell problems. # 4. A fulica can reportedly lay 1,200 viable eggs per year, with several hundred eggs in a single clutch. Learn more about me and my species @ www.kids.nationalgeographic.com. When and why do snails go into their shells. If you are keeping giant African land snails, you must be extremely careful about disposing of the numerous eggs produced.
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