Get to know your new friend
Species
Scientific Name: Cornu aspersum, was classified under the name Helix aspersa for over two centuries, but the prevailing classification now places it in the genus Cornu. known as the garden snail, is one of the most widely known species of all terrestrial mollusks.
Other Names: Brown Garden snail, Müller.
Type: Terrestrial
Tank size (minimum) any, 1 gallon per snail
Keeping: Easy
Breeding: Easy
Size: 1.2 – 1.4 inches (3 – 3.5 cm)
Optimal Temperature: 60 – 74°F (15 to 24 °C)
Optimal Humidity: 70 – 90%
Substrate: Deep enough to bury, more information in this webpage
Diet: Herbivore / detritivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Life span: up to 5 years
Color Form: Brown to gray
Children and Snails
Some kids find snails fascinating due to their unique movements—gliding on muscular feet, leaving a glistening trail. They enjoy watching snails crawl effortlessly on terrarium walls or even upside-down. The bobbing eye stalks add to their appeal. Snails thrive without much human interaction, making them great for nature-loving kids. However, for children seeking a cuddly pet, a snail might not be the ideal choice. Responsible snail-keeping suits older kids who grasp their fragility and need for gentle handling.
Behavior and Temperament
Snails, known for their tranquility, deliberate pace, and inquisitive nature, navigate by gliding on their singular foot enveloped in mucus and epithelial cilia. Utilizing muscle contractions in their foot, they steadily progress forward without the ability to leap but adept at scaling aquarium walls or plants to reach desired destinations. Docile and non-biting, snails prove to be effortlessly kept pets.
Housing
The ideal habitat for a pet snail involves a glass terrarium, plastic aquarium, or terrarium, offering a secure space for crawling and ample surfaces for climbing. These enclosures are easy to clean, maintaining bedding and moisture levels. Use a hygrometer to monitor and adjust humidity as per your snail species' needs. Place a shallow dish of water inside for added humidity and potential bathing. Lastly, include a small shelter within the enclosure to ensure your snail has a private retreat for resting.
here are some great options if you are looking to purchase a habitat for your snail friends:
Acrylic Reptile Breeding Box Terrarium Cage Tank
Handmade Glass Gold Terrarium with lid for Snail
Portable Clear and Transparent Plastic Tank
Substrate Needs
Snails thrive in a few inches of natural substrates like compost, coconut fiber, and potting soil, devoid of fertilizers. Opt for bedding with a pH of 7 or higher if specified. Some substrates, like sphagnum moss, aid in moisture retention and make an excellent top layer. Pre-freezing the soil before introducing it to the snail's habitat eliminates potential tiny pests residing within. you can find All-Natural substrates online like these:
All-Natural Loose Coconut Fiber
Organic Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate
Our organic avocado leaf litter also doubles as a nutrient-rich food source, packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Snails will eagerly devour these leaves, indulging in their natural flavors while reaping the nutritional benefits. Plus, their gradual decomposition adds beneficial organic matter to the terrarium soil, enriching it and fostering a thriving ecosystem. Free from harmful chemicals and additives, our avocado leaf litter ensures the safety and health of your pets, providing them with a natural, sustainable, and enriching environment to thrive in.
Eat & Drink
Garden snails only eat plants. You can feed your pet fresh dandelion greens, lettuce, and other leafy greens, bits of cucumber or broccoli, and carrots. They also enjoy small pieces of strawberries, apples, and other fruits. and a cuttlebone for shell calcium. You can also add crushed eggshells or oyster shells to their food for more calcium. you can find snail calcium online to purchase as well. Rotate foods like lettuce, bananas, strawberries, and others, making sure they're pesticide-free. Snails need a bit of protein too. You can find special snail food online or use things like bloodworms, mealworms, or fish flakes. Check what your snail species needs in terms of protein amount and frequency.
We highly recommend Experiencing the difference that our avocado leaf-fed pet and make by choosing our organic leaf litter for your pet-related needs; they are far superior to grocery store-fed.
Upkeep Costs
Caring for snails is quite affordable. The only ongoing expenses are occasional substrate changes and providing fresh food. Once the aquarium is ready, maintaining a clean habitat and feeding your snail are the primary tasks. Some owners use small insects like isopods or woodlice to assist in keeping the environment tidy by consuming debris created by the snail and its food. The tools for cleaning terrariums are an excellent choice for maintaining the snail habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best snail-safe substrate for garden snails?
The best snail-safe substrate is coco fiber. Organic additive-free fertilizer-free pesticide-free topsoil can also work. A single layer of substrate is best because you will need to dig through/turn over the substrate in a snail tank at least once per week to check for eggs. You can put sphagnum moss on top of the substrate and just remove it when you do soil turns. Make sure to only use regular sphagnum, never peat. A good option for the substrate is the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ABG) Mix. ABG mix has been the gold standard in the terrarium and vivarium industry for many years. You can purchase ABG mix online. You can also make your own ABG mix with the recipe below:
Sphagnum Moss – 1 part
Tree Fern Fiber – 2 parts
Orchid Bark – 2 parts
Peat Moss – 1 part
Charcoal – 1 part
How to choose a tank size for garden snails?
At a minimum, I recommend a glass tank that is at least 5 gallons for a couple of snails, but a 10-gallon tank is a great size if you'd like to add more of them. The general rule is 1 gallon per snail. As you scale up, you can add snails. Many people find that a 10-gallon container is as big as they ever need and can easily house multiple snails at once. Snails don’t take up much room and are slow-moving. As such, you don’t have to be too picky when choosing your container size.
How Often Do Garden Snails Eat?
Garden snails, small and plant-based eaters, consume around 1-2 grams of food daily, known to endure weeks without eating. To maintain health, feed them every two or three days with a mix of fruits, veggies, and commercial snail food. Despite their slow digestion, they eat 2-4 times a day, needing multiple meals due to the slow nutrient absorption. They enjoy leafy greens like lettuce, fruits, and sometimes mushrooms for variety.
How Can You Tell If a Snail Is Asleep?
Snails need moisture to survive; so if the weather is not cooperating.
It can be pretty tough to determine whether or not a snail is sleeping, considering they don’t show any obvious signs such as having their eyes closed or snoring. However, there are still a few simple ways that can help you tell whether or not a snail is sleeping:
The shell may hang away from the body slightly
Relaxed foot
Tentacles appear withdrawn a little
It may be easy to assume that the gastropod is dead, but don’t jump to conclusions when you see an immobile snail in the garden — it may just be taking a power nap.
Do Snails Hibernate Or Die When It’s Cold?
Snails can fall into this state not only because of cold weather but also in conditions of drought and lack of moisture. As soon as conditions improve, the mollusks wake up and start leading an active lifestyle. You can wake them up by keeping them warm and gently running the shells under tepid water. Once the snails are happy the conditions are going to remain warm they will become active again. Around once a month the tank will need to be thoroughly cleaned and the substrate replaced.
How do you wake up a snail?
Garden snails usually hibernate once the temperature drops below 60 °F (15 °C), often after the first frost. In the northern hemisphere, most snails hibernate from October to April. Those that hibernate in the southern hemisphere typically do so from May to September. They often cluster together in groups under leaves or rocks, then seal their shells, slow their heart rate, and sleep through icy weather. In warmer climates, snails don’t hibernate and remain active in winter.
How long can a garden snail go without eating?
Garden snails can endure weeks without food if kept dry and able to seal onto a surface, known as "aestivation." They enter this dormant state in dry conditions or in winter (hibernation) if it's cold. In indoor settings, this is unlikely to occur. if you go on holiday, place them in a dry, ventilated box in a dark, cool spot for 2-3 weeks; no need for a neighbor to feed them! However, small baby snails won't survive as long without moisture.
How do snails survive during the warm & dry season?
Snails are amazing creatures that have adapted to survive harsh weather conditions, including the dry season. Snails need moisture to breathe, move, and reproduce, so they have developed various strategies to cope with dryness. snail seems to have an upper limit of about 40 degrees, and other Mediterranean species can stand higher temperatures. Some desert snails can survive 50 degrees for a few hours (which is all they need, since it will always be cooler at night) My best guess for Garden snails would be around 40 or a bit less.
How long do garden snails live?
Garden snails can live anywhere from 3 to 5 years in the wild, but they have been known to live up to 8 years with proper care in captivity. They require the right temperature and humidity levels as well as access to food and water for optimal survival.
Can snails reproduce asexually?
Snails have the ability to reproduce asexually through a process called parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis allows snails to produce offspring without the need for fertilization by a male. In this process, the snail's eggs develop into embryos and eventually hatch as baby snails. While most snail species have separate sexes (male and female) and reproduce sexually, certain species, particularly some freshwater and land snails, have the capability to reproduce asexually under certain conditions.
