Achatina fulica (Achatina fulica): care and maintenance

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The name of the snail Achatina fulica is translated into Russian as "giant Achatina". Due to its large size and calm disposition, it becomes a favorite of many. Indeed, these are social creatures that are not afraid to be in the hand of a person. In addition, many of them like to be gently touched on the neck. Surprisingly, when the snail gets scared, she hides in the house and starts to squeak.

Habitat

The birthplace of Achatina (a photo of the mollusk is shown below) is Africa. But over time, man moved this creature to other continents. In most countries in which these mollusks have been able to take root, they have become considered pests, as they feed on cultivated vegetation and multiply rapidly. Achatina meat is tasteless, it is not customary to eat it even in African countries. This makes snails unpopular with many nations. Only on the territory of the CIS they fell in love with them and began to have them as pets.

Features of Achatina

The world's largest land snail Achatina is the most unpretentious species. Unlike their small relatives, they are quite smart and can have conditioned reflexes. Despite the fact that this mollusk does not claim special attention, it is able to learn to respond to the owner's hand and understand where the stranger is and where the owner is.

Description of the snail

Giant Achatina snails are the largest representatives of their kind. The shell of this creature sometimes grows up to 25 cm in diameter, and its body is up to 30 cm in length. But on average, their body size is 20 cm. The shell is necessary in order to protect the mollusk during danger, and it also allows it not to dry out. Surprisingly, the color of the shell and its pattern can change depending on the diet of the snail.

This extraordinarily large mollusk has internal organs - brain, kidney, heart, lung. But in addition, he breathes with the help of the skin.

Achatinas are absolutely deaf. They have eyes that are located on the tentacles, and with their help they determine objects at a distance of a centimeter. Also, snails are able to feel the degree of illumination, perhaps photosensitive cells on the body additionally help them in this, from which the mollusks cannot tolerate too bright light.

These land snails are good at detecting odors, for this they are equipped with sensitive skin on the front side and tentacles. The sole of the mollusk allows you to understand the texture and recognize the shape of the object.

Varietiesgiant snails

Science knows about a hundred snails of this genus. The conditions of detention for almost all individuals are the same and do not differ significantly. The most undemanding in content and the most common in our country is Achatina fulica. The shell of these representatives is distinguished by a variegated color, but its tone may vary depending on what the mollusk eats. The soft body has a brownish-brown tone, and tubercles are visible on the skin. This species is leisurely and loves to relax.

If you want variety, you can consider Achatina reticulum as an option. It is also a common pet among the Russian population. The shell pattern is striped and dotted, and the skin color varies from dark brown to black. There is a light border on the leg. These representatives differ in character from fuliks, they are curious and active, often in order to consider an object of interest, they stretch their heads.

Snail Achatina fulica: content at home

Snail maintenance usually does not require additional costs for the house and its arrangement. If you have an old aquarium or a plastic box, this is quite suitable for her home. A cardboard box is not suitable for snails as they can make a hole in it and crawl away. The volume of the house in one individual should be 10 liters or more. If you plan to settle several pets together, then the volume of the house increases to 20 - 30 liters.

Plexiglas with small air holes is suitable as a cover. If there are no holes, then when closing, you must alwaysleave a small gap. Keeping the house open is not recommended, otherwise your pet will run away.

Home improvement

After you have chosen a suitable house for the snail, you need to equip it. Loose soil is lined at the bottom with a layer of about 10 cm. It is needed so that Achatina fulica lays and buries eggs. As a primer, you can use coconut substrate, it is purchased in flower shops. But make sure that there are no fertilizer mixtures in the purchased soil. Sawdust or clay soil is unacceptable for covering the bottom of the Achatina terrarium. Caring for your pet can be individual, for example, experiment with the composition of the soil if you wish. So a snail might like a layer of pine needles, walnut webs, or just sand.

Any type of soil in a terrarium must be kept moist, but at the same time not too waterlogged. Such a measure will maintain suitable humidity for the snail. Achatina herself will tell you if she has enough moisture. So, if she climbs the walls, the humidity in the terrarium is high. If she does not like to stick out of the sink, it is too dry in the air and she needs to add some water. The soil needs to be replaced every two months.

It can be noted that Achatina fulica is not averse to swimming, so install a small container with water in her house. But the "pool" for the snail must be stable and weighty so that it does not turn over during the procedures. Pour water "at the bottom" so that your pet does not choke. Clean the container once a week. Some owners sometimes bathe snails under running warm water.

The mollusk does not need additional lighting. But it is important for him to have a clearly defined night-day. Achatina are predominantly nocturnal inhabitants, and during daylight hours they prefer to hide. Therefore, you will have to make secluded places in the terrarium by putting a snag, a large stone or other objects. If you plant a fern or ivy in a pot, which will be in the possession of a mollusk, it will become not only an ornament, but also an additional delicacy.

Terrarium temperature

Before you buy a giant snail, it is important to consider how you will maintain the required temperature. 26 degrees will be the most comfortable for Achatina. Care and conditions will help create a lamp with a dim light. It is better if a thermometer is periodically lowered into the terrarium to check. If the temperature in her dwelling is less than 24 degrees, then the snail will become lethargic.

Achatina food

You can say that the snail eats everything. But each individual may have their own taste preferences. Despite the "culinary addictions" the main item on the menu is plant food. So they should eat apples, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, pumpkin, zucchini. Achatina do not refuse to eat bananas, watermelon peels, berries, corn and other things. In summer, young grasses such as clover and dandelions are added to the diet. It has been observed that these picky eaters dislike potatoes and carrots.

Menuthe pet can be diluted with oatmeal or unleavened dry cookies. Sometimes you can spoil your favorite snail with egg white or poultry meat.

Natural chalk and ground egg shells should always be in the terrarium as Achatina fulica needs calcium.

Young individuals need to be fed daily. It is better to give food at night when they become active. Adult representatives can be fed after two or three days.

Snail breeding

We can safely say that Achatina (photos of snails are presented on this page) are hermaphrodites. Your pet can perform the functions of a female or a male. In rare cases, when the population falls, an individual is able to fertilize on its own. But you better take care of your pet and give a friend. It is good if the role of the female is performed by an older and larger snail.

Achatina lays about 200 eggs. If the temperature is right, then in a week you will have many five-millimeter snails. Six months later, the babies will become sexually mature. It is noteworthy that growth continues almost throughout life.

Pet Benefits - Snails

Those who want to get a pet, but do not have time for walks, can safely buy a giant snail. She can be left for a couple of days without feeding, and she will not suffer from hunger. If you need to go on vacation, Achatina will hibernate without food. When you return, you sprinkle your pet with some water, and he will wake up. And if you have time, you can start training the clam so that it developsconditioned reflexes. Also, in your spare time, you can admire this amazing creature or take it in your hand, feeling how a giant snail slowly crawls along your hand.