Ideal pets: how to care for snails. How many years do snails live at home? Is it possible to keep snails at home?

One of the interesting attractions in the Simeonovo quarter of the city of Sofia (Bulgaria) is a rainbow-colored, fairy-tale snail that hides a residential building, it is called the Snail House. Many tourists come to this place specifically to look at this amazing building, since some time ago it long occupied first place in the ranking of the strangest buildings in the world on the Strange Buildings website.

From the outside, it seems that this snail is climbing onto the roadway, carrying no less extravagantly made insects - a butterfly and a ladybug. The expression of the snail itself does not seem as cheerful as the colors with which it is covered; it even has a sad look rather than a cheerful one. Looking at the Snail House from one side, you can see that there are absolutely no windows in the building, but they are there, and they are located on the other side of the building; it is probably the sunniest and there is enough sunlight to illuminate all the rooms.

In front of the entrance to the building, there are also snails crawling, but they are small in size, compared to the house; they are also flower pots. The entrance to the building is made in the shape of a snail’s mouth, and the person who enters is immediately considered eaten), just kidding, he ends up inside the building. And no one knows what is inside it, but they say that everything there is no less strangely arranged, just like the building itself, for example, the interior design combines ancient antique furniture of the owner’s ancestors with bright heating radiators in the form of a frog, ladybug or pumpkin. The building consists of 5 floors.

Who is the owner and creator of this mysterious Snail House, you ask, but this is, perhaps, as much a mystery as the building itself and, probably, it will remain so for us forever. It is only known that he was a major construction specialist who came from another country to Bulgaria to work. But for some reason I didn’t want people to know who owned the house and the idea behind its creation. But we know the name of the architect who built it - Simeon Simenov. He said that the house was built entirely from lightweight building material- polymer concrete, which made it possible to bring such a bizarre idea to life, because the house does not have straight lines, like in an ordinary building. Construction of the Snail House lasted almost 10 years and ended in 2009.

The purpose of the house has not been clarified, now the building is clearly not residential, there is no one in it, but they say they planned to open it there first kindergarten, then about a school for gifted children. And then there were rumors that a Bulgarian businessman bought it and was going to live there, in general, mysteries still hover around this house. However, no matter what is located there, tourists will always be drawn to it like a magnet, because everything mysterious and unusual attracts people; the Snail House is already one of the most popular attractions in Sofia.

Achatina snails

As a rule, when we see an aquarium, we don’t even think that anyone other than fish and other aquatic inhabitants could live in it... However, fans of exotic pets never cease to amaze with their imagination and... keep snails in the house.

It is these domestic snails – Achatina – that we invite you to talk about today. Who knows, perhaps after reading this publication you will realize that you have dreamed of an Achatina snail all your life. Our article will tell you about the features of keeping this pet, and the advantages of this choice. So, stay with us, we guarantee you that we will surprise you today...

Who are Achatina snails?

Achatina snails or giant African snails (they are tens of times larger than ordinary snails) are a new hobby for shellfish fans, who are pleased that these creatures can be kept at home. Such snails are usually classified as belonging to the family Arhahatinidae, which includes several genera. The family itself unites more than 60 different species, including representatives of the genus Achatina and Arhahatina.

Types of snails Achatina

Representatives of the genus Arhahatin can be considered more primitive than the representatives of the genus themselves Achatina. They have a rounded shape, with a blunted crown of their shell. And, the length of such a shell is very major representative this genus can reach 12 centimeters in length. The shell itself has a characteristic yellow stripe, which is located inside the mouth protrusion. The body of the mollusk is brown or Brown. Arachachitines can be smaller in size if they have an opening lilac color, and along the body of the mollusk there is a dark stripe - then in front of you Arhahatina degneri.

The Achatina snails themselves are similar in appearance to the Achatina snails, but the top of their shell is elongated and pointed. It is noteworthy that Achatina is distinguished by extraordinary fertility. So, in one clutch there can be up to 500 eggs, which look like chicken eggs, but only in miniature. Achatina Achatina It is considered the largest land snail and has a yellow-brown shell with a zigzag pattern on its surface. The body of the mollusk is soft, gray or black with small white tubercles. There is evidence that

the heaviest specimen of such a snail weighed 450 grams, and the length of its shell was as much as 37 centimeters.

You may not be able to grow such a giant Achatina at home, but the snail will delight you with its large size. Achatina and snail are similar in appearance to Achatina Achatina fulica, however, the tubercles on her body are more pronounced than those of the previous species.

These are the types of Achatina snails (as a rule, sellers do not particularly bother to specify which genus is in front of you, and use one general name for all snails of this species - Achatina) you can find in a pet store.

Which snail from the genus Achatina is best to get?

Despite the fact that there are a sufficient number of species of such snails from the genus Achatina and Akhakhatina, the conditions for keeping them are almost the same, therefore, When choosing such mollusks for the role of a pet, you should be guided by aesthetic preferences - the color of the shell, the size of the snail itself...

Benefits of keeping Achatina snails

The structure of the Achatina snail

Many breeders of such snails (it happens!) claim that they have an ideal pet living in their house - the Achatina snail. Firstly, these creatures are not whimsical in matters of care. Secondly, they are not “talkative”; thirdly, they do not impose their company on you. Fourthly, if you need to leave for duty or go on vacation, you do not need to pester your friends with a request that they look after your pet. Your snail will live quietly without you for a week or two.

There are many other advantages of choosing a snail as a pet, but we will tell you about them in the following paragraphs of this publication.

Features of keeping the Achatina snail at home

So, you decided to have one of these in your home. exotic pet. To do this, you will have to take care to provide him with comfortable conditions accommodation. The snail will not sleep in the same bed with you, therefore, you will need to purchase a special house for it (container, aquarium,) in which it will live. You will also need other accessories, which we will tell you about.

Container for Achatina snail

As a home for the snail, you can purchase a terrarium made of plastic, plexiglass, or use an aquarium that you have left over from the fish. True, consider the fact that

For a medium-sized snail, in order for it to feel comfortable, a volume of space of at least 3 liters is required. Accordingly, if you are planning to have a family of snails, then the aquarium should be large.

Don’t forget that both the aquarium and the terrarium are equipped with special lids with small holes (the holes should be such that your Achatina cannot escape through them).

Container filler

The bottom of the snail's house - be it a terrarium or an aquarium (without water) - must be lined with a layer of substrate. It is better to take flower compost without additional fertilizers, or pure peat (however, it is worth remembering that it creates a too acidic environment). This is necessary so that your snail can burrow into this layer of filler - they love to do this, especially in the daytime. Make sure the substrate is constantly moist. If you overdry it, the snail will have to moisten it with its own mucus and in the process of this action it will inevitably get dirty, and the glass of its terrarium will also “decorate” its marks. Therefore, moisten the substrate layer yourself - then it will be easier for the snail and more pleasant for you. But what cannot be used as a substrate layer is clay and fatty loams; it is also not recommended to add pieces of bark or wood to such a substrate. You can also pour loose sand or line the bottom with hazelnut shells or cores walnuts.

By the way, Achatina themselves love sand - for them it is a natural habitat in which they become unusually animated and... begin to multiply intensively, laying eggs. But from a practical point of view, sand is not very convenient, since the snails get dirty on it and stain the glass of the terrarium.

Oh, here's a nut shell - in this regard, it is much more convenient, however, if you do not clean the snail's house too often, then flies can appear in such a substrate, which do not harm the snails, but fly throughout the apartment.

Remember, no matter what filler you choose, its layer must be at least 4 centimeters.

How to clean a terrarium

Depending on the type of filler in such a terrarium, cleaning procedures are carried out 2-3 times every 3-4 months. Cleaning the terrarium includes washing it completely (without using chemicals, use ordinary baking soda as a cleaning powder), and replacing the substrate layer. If you notice that the walls of the terrarium are covered with mucus, which is left by crawling snails, or an unpleasant odor emanates from the terrarium, carry out an unscheduled cleaning of the snails’ habitat.

Lighting for a terrarium with snails

Additionally, there is no need to install any lighting fixtures in the terrarium in order to create special lighting for snails. Because light intensity does not particularly affect the life processes of mollusks. For them, only the alternation of day and night is important, since these creatures are still more active at night, while during the day they prefer to hide in a layer of substrate away from prying eyes and rest. In this case, lighting is necessary more for you, and not for the mollusks. However, even if you decide to illuminate the life of your pets, be sure to take the lighting device outside the container, since if the lighting is inside, a snail may crawl in and damage the system itself - a short circuit may occur with fatal for your pet.

Temperature for a terrarium with snails

Since you have brought a tropical animal into your home that is accustomed to high temperatures, be prepared for the fact that the air in the terrarium will need to be “warmed up” to 20-28 degrees above zero. At this temperature, the snails feel familiar and behave actively. However, trying to heat the air in the terrarium using direct sun rays or heating appliances located near the terrarium are not worth it. This idea will not end well, and the mollusk may suffer from the temperature contrast in your home.

Additional accessories for a terrarium with snails

In order to have a little fun for your snail and decorate the interior of the terrarium, you can put inside pieces of wood, moss, fragments (not sharp) from clay flower pots. All this will become not only a decoration of the “landscape”, but also a shelter for your pet. However, make sure that all these items that you place inside the terrarium are clean and safe.

Some terrarium owners even manage to plant living plants inside. They look extremely original and create a cozy atmosphere inside the snail’s home. But, make sure that when watering them, you do not over-moisten the soil of the substrate. Also, when choosing plants for planting, give preference to those species whose leaves have small fibers. As for ferns and ivy - although they look beautiful, but... snails will eat such leaves, therefore, you will not get aesthetics from such a green oasis.

Features of caring for Achatina snails at home

What to feed Achatina snails

Achatina snails are vegetarians

The larger the snail, the less often you can feed it(feeding frequency is allowed once every few days). But, if you have small Achatina, they need to be fed daily. True, fortunately for you, these mollusks are vegetarians, therefore, you will need to provide them with the most “green” diet possible, taking into account the permitted foods and combining all this with the personal taste preferences of your Achatina.

Vitamins for Achatina snails

In order for snails to grow well and quickly, they need a source of vitamins and calcium carbonate. Place a piece of chalk in the terrarium or sprinkle some eggshells - the snail will be grateful to you for such care. By the way, chalk must be natural; factory-made chalk obtained by chemical means will be ignored by her. As for vitamin and mineral mixtures, they can be purchased at a pet store. Complexes that are created specifically for reptiles will suit you.

Do Achatina snails drink water?

Achatina snails not only eat, but also drink, therefore, the terrarium should always have a container with fresh and clean water. However, make sure that the container is not too large or deep, as the clam may drown. To humidify the air, it is also recommended to occasionally spray the walls of the terrarium from the inside with water, but you should not be too zealous - the snail is not aquatic, and it will not be comfortable for it to live in a swamp.

When the snail grows up, it will be possible to install a small pool for it - since they really love water, which they need for the processes of mucus secretion.

Exotic pets are becoming more and more popular every day. One of their most unpretentious species is the Achatina - huge snails, perhaps the largest of the mollusks. Unlike their closest relatives, Achatina snails are quite smart and intelligent. They may even have conditioned reflexes. These mollusks quickly get used to their owner and can distinguish him from strangers, while they do not require much attention or special food.

Initially, Achatina lived only in Africa, but gradually, thanks to humans, they spread to other regions. For example, in Japan they were grown on special farms and then eaten. In Southeast Asia, many African countries and even America, Achatina is considered a pest. They cause considerable damage to reed crops, causing the death of young trees and other plant crops. Giant snails can even eat the plaster off houses to get the substance they need to grow their shells. In Russia, Achatina are not able to survive in natural conditions because the climate is too harsh for them. Therefore, giant snails in our region can only be found as pets.

African snail Achatina - structural features

Among land mollusks, Achatina is the largest. Its shell can reach twenty-five centimeters in length, and its body thirty. A snail has a heart, a kidney, eyes, a brain and a lung; by the way, in addition to it, the mollusk also breathes through its skin. At the same time, she hears absolutely nothing. Achatina's eyes are located at the ends of the tentacles; they help the snails perceive levels of illumination and objects located at a distance of no more than a centimeter. In addition, the snails also perceive the degree of brightness of the lighting with light-sensitive cells located throughout the body, which may be why they do not like blinding light.

The shell protects the mollusks from drying out and becomes a protection for them in case of any danger. It can have a very interesting pattern and color, which can change depending on what the snail ate. Achatina senses odors through the skin of the entire anterior region of the body, as well as through the tips of the tentacles. With the help of them and the sole, the snail perceives the textures and shapes of objects.

Types of Achatina

There are more than one hundred species of giant snails in nature. It makes no sense to dwell in detail on each, since the conditions of their detention are practically the same. Let's look at the most common types of Achatina, which can be found more often than others in pet stores.

The easiest to care for, and therefore the most common of the giant snails, is the Achatina fulica species. Its representatives have a variegated shell that changes color depending on the diet, and a brownish or brownish soft body with pronounced tubercles on the skin. Achatina fulica is slow and loves to rest a lot in a secluded place.

The second most common type of snail for home keeping is Achatina reticulata. Usually its representatives have a pattern on the shell in the form of stripes and dots, the color of the soft body is black or dark brown with a light border of the “legs”. Achatina reticulata are curious and active, often raising their heads in an attempt to examine what is happening.

You do not need any special equipment to keep Achatina. They can even be placed in an old, cracked aquarium, since you don’t have to fill it with water. Instead, you can even take a plastic box, but in this case it will be difficult to observe your pets due to the poor transparency of the walls. But it is better to avoid using a cardboard box, since Achatina can chew through it.

For one snail you need a “house” with a volume of at least ten liters. If you plan to have several Achatina, its volume should be at least twenty to thirty liters.

The aquarium must always be covered with a piece of plexiglass with holes or a special lid. Otherwise, you will have to search throughout the house for the snail. But you cannot tightly close the aquarium, since the mollusk constantly needs fresh air. If the lid does not contain holes, then leave at least a small gap.

At the bottom of the aquarium, you should definitely place soil for Achatina in a layer of up to ten centimeters. It should be loose, well-permeable to air; subsequently, the snail will burrow into it and lay eggs. Coconut substrate or soil for replanting flowers, which can be found in any flower shop, is suitable for this. The main thing is that there are no fertilizers or other harmful additives in the soil. It is also not recommended to use sawdust and clay soil as soil. Sometimes it is recommended to fill the terrarium for Achatina with sand, membranes of walnuts or pine bark. You can experiment and choose the most convenient option.

Whatever soil you choose, keep in mind that it should always be slightly moist, but not waterlogged. This will allow you to maintain optimal humidity. You can determine the degree of humidity by the behavior of the snail. If it tries to close itself in the sink, the air is too dry, but if it constantly hangs on the walls, the humidity is too high.

Since the African snail Achatina loves to swim, it wouldn’t hurt to place a shallow container of water in its “house.” The container must be heavy and stable so that the mollusk cannot turn it over. It is recommended to pour very little water into it so that the snail cannot choke in it. Change your bathing water about once a week.

Since Achatina is a native of Africa, it is logical that she loves warmth. For her, the most comfortable temperature is around 26 degrees. Since it is usually lower in our apartments, a dim lamp will help provide a suitable climate for the snail. Of course, you can do without this, but just keep in mind that Achatina, kept at home at temperatures below 24 degrees, will be a little lethargic and not particularly mobile.

The mollusk does not need special additional lighting. Akhvtins are indifferent to light intensity. However, for snails it is important that day alternates with night regularly. Moreover, they are more active in the dark. During the day, snails prefer to hide in the ground or other secluded places. Such places can be created by placing large stones, driftwood, coconut halves, etc. in the aquarium. In addition, you can plant live plants in the aquarium; they will also become additional food for Achatina. Ivy or fern are best for this.

How to care for Achatina

Achatina does not need any special care. All you need to do is change the bathing water, clean the aquarium every one and a half to three months and change the soil in it. If desired, sometimes wash the snails under slightly warm running water, and, of course, feed the pet.

What do Achatina eat?

Achatina can eat almost anything, and the taste preferences of each snail are often significantly different. However, the basis of their diet is still plant foods. It is recommended to give them apples, lettuce, and cucumbers. In summer, young leaves and herbs, such as clover or dandelion, can be added to food. In addition, snails can happily eat bananas, watermelon rinds, bell pepper, pumpkin, tomato, melon, corn, various berries, zucchini and spinach. But most snails don’t like carrots and potatoes. To diversify Akhatana's diet, sometimes give her dry unleavened cookies, bran and oatmeal. Occasionally you can offer her meat, egg whites or poultry.

Calcium must be present in the snail's diet. Therefore, the aquarium should always contain ground eggshells or natural chalk; you can also place limestone or mineral stones in it.

Reproduction of Achatina

Despite the fact that Achatina are hermaphrodites, living alone they rarely lay eggs. Therefore, if you want to get offspring from a snail, it is better to place a “friend” with it. Moreover, for the role of a female it is worth choosing an older snail; a sexually mature, but not very large mollusk can cope well with the role of a male.

Akhatana usually lays about two hundred eggs at a time, from which, depending on the air temperature, tiny, about five millimeters, snails appear after a week or three. They reach sexual maturity after six months, and continue to grow almost their entire lives.

Advantages of the African snail Achatina

Of course, the Achatina snail is not an affectionate cat or a playful dog, but it also has its own considerable advantages. She won't demand from you daily walks, frequent feedings, she will not whine at night and chew her slippers, and you will have practically no need to spend money on her maintenance. Nevertheless, Achatina may well bring more than one pleasant moment. The snail is very interesting to watch, especially when it is bathing, crawling on glass or slowly moving along your hand. You can even try to “train” it by producing it in a mollusk conditioned reflexes.

But the main advantage of the Achatina snail is that you can easily go on vacation or a business trip and leave your pet unattended. After all, for a long time without receiving food and additional moisture, Achatina simply hibernates. Returning home, you just need to sprinkle water on the hibernating mollusk and it will soon wake up. Achatina snails, whose care and maintenance fully meet the requirements, can live for about ten years. So they can become you faithful companions for many years.

Achatina snails in cosmetology: reviews, photos, contraindications. How to use Achatina snails in cosmetology?

It is not for nothing that snails have been associated with eternity since ancient times. Their use helps maintain health and prolong youth. One of the most valuable species are Achatina snails. Their miraculous properties are widely used in cosmetology and medicine.

Such procedures are most popular among the fair half of humanity. With their help, a wide range of skin problems are solved.

What are Achatina snails?

Achatina snails in cosmetology, reviews beneficial properties which inspire confidence, are already widely used in Holland and France.

Africa is considered the birthplace of these mollusks. It was from there that they spread to other continents. These mollusks do not live on Russian territory, since the climate does not allow it. All available individuals are raised in conditions specially created for them.

Types of snails Achatina

To date, more than a hundred species of snails have been discovered, which can be classified as giant. Their mucus is practically indistinguishable in its composition. Among them, the most popular, due to their widespread use and low maintenance requirements, are:

Achatina reticulata;
Achatina fulica.

What is needed for growing at home?

You can also keep mollusks in an aquarium with soil, but it must be constantly moistened. For swimming, you need to place a container of water in the aquarium. The comfortable temperature for snails of this species is 26 degrees Celsius.

By observing the behavior of pets, you can determine whether they are comfortable in the created conditions. If the habitat is too dry, the mollusks will often hide in the shell.

At home, Achatina lives 7-10 years.

How to use for cosmetic purposes at home?

In order to undergo massage and skin regeneration procedures with the help of snails, it is not necessary to visit a beauty salon. You can keep Achatina at home and carry out procedures on your own at any convenient time. A common question that arises when Achatina snails are mentioned is: how to use them in cosmetology?

In fact, the procedure for skin rejuvenation with the help of Achatina is quite simple:

First, you need to cleanse your skin of any remaining makeup.
Then you should wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in milk.
Achatina should be washed with slightly warm running water. They wash not only the abdomen, but also the house of the mollusk.
The snail is placed on the problem area of the skin, after which it is given the opportunity to move along the surface of the skin.
After the procedure, which lasts 10-15 minutes, the mollusk needs rest. It must be moved back to the terrarium.
The mucus remaining after the snail moves is evenly distributed over the surface of the skin.
It is necessary to allow the mucus to be absorbed and dry, after which the skin is washed with warm water without using soap.

Achatina snails play in cosmetology important role, since their mucus has a rich composition. Therefore, having such an unpretentious pet at home, you can maintain healthy skin without visiting expensive beauty salons.

Cosmetology

Achatina snails are used in cosmetology due to their mucus, which contains large amounts of collagen, glycolic acid and elastin.

Ointments and creams are made from snail mucus, which make the skin soft, like that of small children.

It has been noted that people who breed snails are less likely to suffer from skin diseases on their hands. They heal cuts and wounds faster. Products based on Achatina mucus help eliminate scars and stretch marks.

Achatina snails in cosmetology, photos of which are presented in this article, have occupied their niche. Procedures carried out with the help of snails already have a large number of adherents.

Massage with Achatina

Achatina snails are used in cosmetology more often than other types of mollusks for daily massage.

Moving over the skin, the mollusk gently massages, improving blood circulation and relieving spasms. These procedures are also useful for those who have varicose veins. Thanks to the massage of Achatina snails, blood vessels are strengthened and blood circulation is improved.

The great advantage is the delicacy with which the procedure is carried out. Slowly moving along the skin, the mollusks gently massage without causing pain.

Achatina snails in the fight against cellulite

Those who want to remove fat in problem areas and get rid of cellulite usually know first-hand what Achatina snails are in cosmetology and how to use mollusks. Regular massage with Achatina snails in the area of the thighs and abdomen will help make the skin smoother and eliminate the “orange peel” effect.

If you use Achatina in the fight against cellulite at least 3 times a week, then after a short period of time, equal to 1-2 months, you can get rid of this problem.

Contraindications

Anyone who has no fear or disgust towards shellfish can use a product such as Achatina snails (in cosmetology). These creatures have no contraindications for use for cosmetic purposes.

But before carrying out a treatment or massage session, you need to make sure that you are not allergic to the components of Achatina mucus. To do this, you need to place the mollusk on the skin of the wrist for a small amount of time.

If any side effects appear after this procedure, it is best to refuse skin treatment in this way until consulting a specialist doctor.

Those who decide to get themselves an Achatina must first undergo at least one cosmetological procedure of “snail therapy” in the salon. If you are allergic to any component of shellfish mucus, it will manifest itself. This will save you from a thoughtless and useless acquisition.

Achatina snails in cosmetology: reviews

A large number of positive reviews on various websites and blogs allows us to conclude that the use of snails for cosmetic purposes is popular.

Users note the following as the main advantages:

rapid appearance of the effect;
painlessness of the procedure;
no need to use synthetic products.

Sometimes the only reason that determines the refusal to use snails in cosmetology is fear or a feeling of disgust towards mollusks.

Experts note that snails in cosmetology are a good alternative to expensive procedures. Thanks to the ease of growing snails and the small list of contraindications for preparations made from their mucus, they are gaining more and more fans.

In this regard, an increasing number of cosmetology centers offer “snail therapy” in their range of services.

The Achatina snail in cosmetology is simply a godsend for those who do not want to resort to the help of surgeons and use various injections for rejuvenation.

Regular use of Achatina snails for cosmetic purposes will help quickly improve blood circulation, skin condition, and reduce stretch marks and scars.

What benefits does the Achatina snail bring to human health???

✿Elena m✿

IN Lately A fashion also appeared for other land snails - giant African snails, or Achatina. This is the largest land mollusk on Earth: its shell can reach a length of 25 cm, and its body can reach 30. The Achatina is native to East Africa, but now they can be found in many parts of the world. For some countries with a climate favorable for giants, snails are unusually dangerous: they are voracious and multiply rapidly. So, in America there is a quarantine on Achatina, and anyone who would decide to breed them would face imprisonment. But in Europe, and in particular in Russia, Achatina in wildlife do not live, so they can be kept as pets.

The beauty of these snails is not only their huge size. Achatina are real beauties, and the owner can simulate the color scheme of the shell of his pet: if you feed the mollusk something red for some time, for example pepper, its shell will begin to acquire shades of red. By switching your snail to a green diet, you will add new colors to it. The main distinguishing feature of Achatina is their intelligence. They very quickly develop conditioned reflexes: snails get used to their owners, distinguish them from other people, and they develop a clear daily routine. But most importantly, no matter what kind of snails become the inhabitants of the house - grape or Achatina, they will undoubtedly bring great benefit to their owners: calm, meditative and even majestic snails incite the same feelings in their owners.

What is the best way to keep Achatina?

Vladimir

Brief recommendations on the content of Achatina
The African snail Achatina fulica belongs to the class Gastropods, order Stalk-eyes, family Helicidae.
In captivity, Achatina lives 5-9 years, gains size throughout its life and grows up to 15 cm in length.
Terrarium. A terrarium for Achatina can be made from a simple aquarium. The minimum size is 10 liters per snail. The larger the aquarium, the larger your snail will grow. The terrarium must have a lid, because snails can crawl out of it. It is advisable to arrange small holes in the lid for better gas exchange; ideally, insert a metal mesh. As a last resort, you can simply lift the lid to create a small gap. At the bottom of the aquarium you need to put a bedding of sand, bark coniferous trees, sawdust or peat. Each of these types of bedding has its pros and cons, but I prefer to use conifer bark. It is easy to wash, not difficult to obtain, and dirt is less noticeable on it. You can build a small bath with fresh water; Achatina loves to swim. The main thing is that the depth of the bath does not allow the snail to choke. In general, Achatina crawl well under water, but if it accidentally falls into the bath from above, a small snail can drown from fright. You also need to make sure that the bath does not turn over if the snail starts to burrow into the soil next to it, otherwise the water will spread out, which is not good.
The temperature and humidity required by Achatina are approximately the same as those in an ordinary city apartment.
Soil moisture is determined empirically. If the snails sit on the walls of the terrarium all the time, it means there is too much water.
If they prefer to be clogged (the evidence is hidden in the sink and closed with a lid), on the contrary, it is too dry. When the soil moisture is normal, snails crawl along its surface at night and often burrow into it during the day. To maintain humidity, it is enough to spray the soil and walls of the terrarium with a spray bottle once a day.
To awaken a clogged snail, you can pour water over its mouth and carefully remove the cap, or simply place it in a terrarium with normal humidity. It is recommended to wash the terrarium at least once a week. The exception is a terrarium with a clutch of eggs, which must be cleaned without water so as not to change the humidity and not damage the clutch.
It is better to keep small snails without soil, covering them with cabbage or lettuce leaves, thereby increasing the chance of the snail finding food and making it easier to care for the terrarium.
Feeding. There is an opinion that Achatina can be fed once a week. I beg to differ with this. Achatina survive, grow and even often reproduce with this diet, but often live shorter lives and grow more slowly than their normally fed relatives. It is better to feed as food is eaten and dried and remove any leftovers.
Achatina eats vegetables, fruits and herbs, but in nature they do not refuse meat. Usually in captivity they are fed cabbage, carrots and cucumbers, but it is preferable to give them a more varied diet. This is necessary first of all so that at any moment you can switch to another available type of food. It is known that snails have certain food preferences, including many who prefer cucumbers and lettuce to other foods, and if they are fed only cucumbers from childhood, they often refuse to eat anything other than them, which can cause some inconvenience. In particular, I had two snails that would not accept anything except bananas and newspaper. Large snails can be given whole cores; they process surprisingly quickly food waste. Soft foods should be given only for a short period of time, otherwise they will flow and spread across the soil, causing it to become contaminated.
It is generally not recommended to give soft foods to small snails. There was a case when snails buried themselves entirely in a banana and suffocated there. It is better to give very small newborn snails greens, thinly chopped carrots, and after a few days lettuce and apples.

Alex

I have it in coconut substrate. Soaked briquette from a flower shop. They live in an old aquarium. Definitely a source of lime carbonate, I have crushed zebra mussel shell and chalk. I feed vegetables. Last year there were an incredible number of juveniles!

Radmila Mordvinkina

Alexander Ananyev

In a glass jar or container/aquarium, coconut shavings can be poured, there should be moisture, you can sometimes bathe. DO NOT give citrus fruits, raw potatoes, and bananas for little ones.

How are snails useful?

™Unquenchable Star... ®

Why snails are useful - snails are different from snails.

Almost ninety thousand different species of snails are known. They are found in cities and deserts. In the Sahara, for example, snails are found in places where the temperature in the shade is 45 degrees. There are snails that live in the water of hot springs. At the same time, they tolerate cold well.
An experienced gardener, choosing a head of cabbage for himself in the garden, will cut the one on which he sees a snail. He knows that this gourmet unerringly finds the best head of cabbage.

In ancient Rome, roasted grape snails were considered a delicacy. The famous naturalist Pliny testifies to this in his book “The Life of Animals”. And in our times there are still connoisseurs of this dish. IN different countries There are special farms where grape snails are bred. They are exported. And in our country, the army of lovers of tender snail meat is growing. The fact is that it contains 20 times more vitamins than creamy meat or eggs.

Snails serve as food not only for humans. They occupy not the last place in the fish menu. When dissecting Caspian sturgeons, for example, it was discovered that the contents of their stomachs consisted of 80 percent mollusks, mainly snails.
In ancient times, a substance was extracted from the glands of sea snails and purple snails, from which purple was made, which was used for dyeing fabrics, as well as in painting and cosmetics. One gram of purple yielded ten thousand shellfish.

On some Pacific islands, shells rare species snails still play the role of money. They are used to produce buttons and jewelry. Since ancient times, these snails have been used by the natives of the islands of Oceania as a tool for drilling holes in wood and even stone products. It takes a snail, which is called the “oyster drill,” 20-30 hours to gnaw a hole in the shell of an oyster, mussel or some other shell.

An interesting use has been found for the snails Strophocheilus popelarianus in factories where cigarettes are made. The height of the shell of these snails reaches up to 14 cm. Its strength can be judged at least by the fact that they are used as an iron when smoothing tobacco leaves.
Representatives of the genus Trochus, living in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, have mother-of-pearl shells of extraordinary beauty, which are used in the button industry. And the shells of a smaller species of trochid, Trochus adriaticus, are used only for jewelry.
In nature, adult individuals act as scavengers, eating decaying plant debris and animal excrement. However, young snails greatly harm cultivated plants by eating banana buds, various fruits, and tubers.
More about Gastropods, gastropods (Latin Gastropoda, gastro - “stomach”, poda - “leg”), or snails are the most numerous class within the phylum Mollusca, which includes about 60,000-75,000 species.
All the most interesting things about snails
About the benefits of snails

Jenya Jenya

There are benefits from snails in any case, both aquatic and terrestrial.
Benefits of aquarium snails
Snails are natural orderlies: they destroy food residues, dead fish, fish excrement, rotten parts of plants, film on the surface of the water, and plaque on the walls of the aquarium.
Snails play an important role in maintaining biological balance in artificial reservoir, and the behavior of some snails (for example, melania) serves as an indicator of the purity of the soil or water, which helps the aquarist to notice and solve the problem of pollution in time.
Snails are beautiful in their own way and can serve as an element of aquarium decoration.
The ancient Greeks considered them a medicine and, indeed, helped against illnesses. Another ancient people - the Phoenicians - extracted beautiful dye from red snails and dyed clothes with it. And in Africa and South America The shells of large snails were replaced not so long ago... money. In ancient times, people also revered the snail because its shell has the shape of a spiral. And the spiral has always been considered a symbol of life.
Beetles, birds, snakes, mice feed on snails; many predators also do not hesitate to feast on snails... Beetles, worms, and other small insects consider snail eggs the most delicious food and diligently search for them. Many fish eat aquatic snails
Snails are considered a delicacy in many countries around the world. Snail dishes are especially popular in France. It is in France that escargot is prepared - a special snail dish that affects human sexual activity.
Snails have been eaten since ancient times. Thus, the first written mentions of the use of snails as food date back to ancient times. IN Ancient Rome A snail dish was considered an indispensable attribute of any celebration. Snail was considered not just a tasty dish, but also a medicinal remedy. Snail decoctions were prescribed as a medicine for bleeding, eye diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and as a remedy for wound healing.
There are special types of snails that are used for cooking. The most common species are grape snails (aka Helix pomatia, Burgundy snail, Roman snail). This type snails live in damp deciduous forests, bushes and ravines where there is enough moisture.
Grape snails grow quite slowly; they begin to be used as food only in the second or third year of their life. This type of snail can grow up to 40-45 mm.
Snail dishes are rightly called dietary. In 100 gr. The product contains 10g of protein, 32g of fat, 5g of carbohydrates, as well as vitamin B6, B12, iron, calcium, magnesium. Snail meat is soft, it is easily digestible and breaks down. So, for example, if it usually takes an average of 4-5 hours to digest pork or chicken, then 2 hours is enough to digest snail meat.
Snails are especially recommended for those who have calcium imbalances in the body, pregnant and lactating women, children and people suffering from diseases such as chondrosis and collagenosis. Snail meat improves intestinal function and normalizes metabolism. It is believed that due to the magnesium content, snail meat can have a calming effect on people and helps fight stress.
Before using snails for food, they are put on a special diet for several weeks. During the diet, snails get rid of various harmful substances that they could have absorbed when they fed in the wild. To make the snail meat more delicious, they are fed with thyme and fennel.
The process of preparing snails itself looks something like this: first, the snails are thoroughly washed in water, then they are blanched, cooled, removed from the shells, boiled in a broth with spices and white wine, then put back into the shells and baked in the oven. Before the shells go into the oven, they pour a little garlic oil with parsley.

So the snails occupy important place V food chain, process organic residues.... But what is the benefit of a person is still unclear))))

Benefit in what way?
Here in terms of cooking "On the benefits of snails" - http://efamily.ru/articles/103/1078
And here about aquariums “Snails - benefit or harm” - http://e-url.info/read10.php
Here’s another “...from the narcotic poison of the pot-bellied cone, pharmacists prepared an amazing painkiller. It is stronger than even morphine. And drugs for the treatment of epilepsy turned out to be the most effective of all known. Moreover, as it turned out, snail drugs do not cause side effects.. "
http://www.ressina-privivka.ru/friend/gady.htm
Garden, vegetable garden In addition to harm, "...Slugs and snails also perform an important sanitary function in the garden, processing plant remains that are dead or damaged by other pests..."
http://www.gardenia.ru/pages/vribol_007.htm

Treatment with snails (snail therapy)

The giant African snail Achatina fulica is the most suitable pet for managers and simply busy people. This pet does not need to be walked, taken to the veterinarian and spent a lot of money on its food. He won't wake you up in the morning with loud barking and won't ruin your favorite furniture. There are no allergies to it, and it wonderfully relieves stress.

In the tradition of Slavic healers, many forces of nature were used: herbs, honey, clay, stones and animals. Many treatment methods, having traveled an amazing path, have returned to us today in the form of stone therapy, honey massage and even hirudotherapy (leech treatment) and bee therapy.

But one of effective types treatment of humans using the forces of living nature has been undeservedly forgotten - treatment with snails.
It’s good that the bearers of the tradition of Slavic herbalists are still preserved, so now there is an opportunity to get acquainted with the amazing area of restoring human health - treatment with snails in the tradition of Slavic herbalists.

Snails, these amazing, leisurely creatures, thanks to their unique features that nature has endowed them with, will help you and your patients get rid of:

- From cellulite and “heavy fats” that cannot be removed by any physical exercise.
- From muscle spasms and clamps (including clamps in the collar area), and without pain!
- From inflammation that causes infertility and other serious diseases.
- From stress and diseases caused by nerves (dermatitis, psoriasis).
- From vegetative-vascular dystonia.

The most latest discovery in the field of medicine calls the snail a brain donor, based on the positive results of thorough studies of the neurons of these snails, and in particular on the fact that human neurons and snail neurons require the same ionic composition of the environment when they are grown in culture...

Any woman would like to have a miracle cream that would effectively care for the skin, moisturize it and delay aging for a long time. And it would be nice if such a cream was natural. Don’t be surprised, but such a remedy exists - it’s the mucus of medicinal snails. Are you disdainful?

Of course, not every woman can try procedures using snails. And anyway, such a service is not very common here. But those who dare and allow gastropods to wander through their bodies receive the effect mentioned above. This miraculous cream is the mucus that is secreted from snails as they “walk.” In the language of cosmetologists, snails produce a mucus wrap that rejuvenates and tightens the skin.

People first started talking about the benefits of snail mucus when they noticed that the skin of snail farm workers did not age. It was later found that this mucus smooths out wrinkles and prevents dry skin.

Snail mucus contains a huge amount of bioactive substances, probably familiar to you: collagen, glycolic acid, allantoin, natural antibiotics and vitamins, with the help of which the snail restores its body and “repairs” its “house”. Therefore, snails can treat scars, scars, burns, cuts, and inflammation.

As a rule, snail mucus does not cause complications, allergies, etc., so it may be suitable for those who deny themselves spa treatments due to any illness. Snails can also help get rid of stretch marks and age spots, this is very important for young mothers. All you have to do is let the little doctors crawl all over your body.

Application of snails

Considering their properties to regenerate cells, as well as positive influence their impulses, Achatina is used as natural massagers. The snail must first be washed in cool running water. Prepare your face and neck for the procedure: remove makeup and wipe with milk. Then put the snail on the skin. She must “walk” through the areas offered to her, after which she is returned to the house. You will evenly distribute the healing secretions over your face and neck and keep them on the skin for 15 minutes until completely dry. At the same time, the skin is significantly tightened. After washing, you will feel its extraordinary freshness and velvety feel. It is advisable to carry out this procedure every other day, or at least 2 times a week.

How many species of snails are there in total on earth and which of them are the largest?

Victoria

In addition... .

The smallest snail is the cone snail. One dose of poison can kill 10 people. Moreover, scientists have not yet found an antidote. Habitat: tropical zones of Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Polynesia to the east. coasts of Africa and the Red Sea.
Pepper benefits and harm to the body

IN last years People increasingly began to keep gastropods as pets. The most popular is the giant African snail - Achatina.

Snails (gastropods)- lat. Gastropoda is a class of mollusks, divided into three subclasses: prosobranchs, pulmonate and opisthobranchs and has about ninety thousand species, including marine, freshwater and terrestrial forms.

The snail's head usually has tentacles and a pair of eyes. The shell reaches a height of 0.5 mm to 70 cm, has a spirally twisted appearance, and may be absent in some representatives of the class. As the snail grows, so does its shell. It becomes hard, strong and thick, dark rings appear on it - coils. Snails grow up to a year. By this time, approximately 4-5 rings already appear on their shells. On average, gastropods live up to six years.

Most snails have a spiral-shaped shell, so in ancient times people revered the snail, as it was believed that the spiral was a symbol of life. The ancient Greeks used snails as medicine. The Phoenicians obtained dye for fabrics from red snails, and in Africa and South America, the shells of large snails replaced money.

In nature, snails live in groups of several individuals. In the late afternoon, or at night, when the temperature drops and it becomes cool, snails crawl out of their daytime shelters in search of food. Due to the fact that they have poor vision, but they have an excellent sense of smell and touch, they search for food by touch with the help of tentacle horns, guided by smell. The diet of snails is very diverse. They eat almost everything: leaves, worms, small larvae, etc.

Snails are an excellent and accessible object of observation in captivity. They are not at all as primitive as they might seem. Despite the fact that their nervous system is quite simple, snails are capable of learning. Scientists conducted experiments with marine gastropods, as well as grape snails and land slugs, developing various conditioned reflexes in them. In addition, grape snails have flown into space. In England, grape snails are used for entertainment: they organize “snail races”.

Maintenance and care.

An aquarium, terrarium, plastic house for rodents, as well as food containers and other plastic containers are suitable as containers for keeping snails (snail cage). On average, one snail needs approximately 10 liters of volume, but it is advisable to allocate at least 15-20 liters so that it can grow to maximum dimensions. The lid should cover the container tightly enough to prevent the snail from escaping and to maintain the required humidity. To better provide the container with fresh air, several small holes can be made in the lid ( smaller size snails). It’s even better to cover the snail with a synthetic mesh for ironing (you can also use gauze, but its snails can eventually make a hole in it and escape). It is better to choose a tall, rather than wide, snail cage, since with the same volume, a low terrarium has a large bottom area and, as a result, a large area for moisture evaporation, which leads to rapid drying of the soil, which is unacceptable when keeping snails.

Snails do not need electric lighting, for this reason choosing a place for a terrarium in an apartment will not be difficult. However, if the terrarium is located near a window, then it is better to cover one side of it with something lightproof, since snails avoid direct sunlight.

Priming. A suitable soil for snails is regular flower soil. Also suitable are coconut substrate or regular sawdust, which are sold in any pet stores, conifer bark or peat. Before adding soil, it must be treated - doused with boiling water, heated in a microwave oven or in the oven for several minutes (as for seedlings), thereby destroying the larvae of Drosophila and other insects.

The soil should be loose so that snails can easily burrow into it. It is not recommended to place stones and other hard objects in the terrarium, since if the snails fall from the lid, they can break their shell on them. Microclimate the volume for snails should be warm and moist. The ideal temperature for keeping snails ranges from +25 to +30°C. If the room where the coop is located is cool, then it is better to arrange heating near it using a regular light bulb. But to prevent the snails from getting burned, you should not place the lamp close to the glass.

Most domesticated snails (for example, Achatina) are land snails. And they feel great on land. But they cannot live long without water. To maintain a certain humidity in the coop, it is very convenient to use a spray bottle to spray flowers. It is enough to spray the terrarium and its inhabitants with warm water once or twice a day to maintain the required level of humidity for them, which should be 75-90%. It is best to purchase a hygrometer (a device for measuring air humidity) to easily determine whether there is sufficient humidity in the coop.

Young gastropods also have enough moisture on the walls of the terrarium. If the snails are more than one and a half months old, then they need to put water in some container so that they can drink or take a bath. It is necessary to compare the size of the pool with the size of the snail so that it cannot drown in it when swimming.

Snails such as Achatina love to swim. You can sometimes pamper them by washing them under the tap with warm water.

If the wrong conditions are created (too dry or cold), the snail can go into hibernation, while it closes its shell with a door, and it is extremely difficult to bring it out of this state. To do this, she will have to be bathed in warm water until she looks out of her house.

The terrarium should be cleaned regularly. It is necessary to remove excrement, and also wipe the walls and lid of the terrarium with a damp sponge when dirty. Once every 1-1.5 months you should do a general cleaning: completely change the soil and rinse the terrarium well with disinfectants.

Feeding snails. The main source of food for snails is plant food. In the terrarium, you can place a plastic food tray with low edges so as not to place food on the ground, as it will quickly deteriorate on it. Snails eat well lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, apples, pears, but they will not disdain dry rolled oats flakes or fish food (such as gammarus or daphnia). Snails will not refuse a summer treat in the form of strawberries or watermelon. Large snails are especially fond of bananas, but such treats must be given with caution, as after them the snail may begin to be capricious and refuse all other food. IN winter time snails are great at eating dry rolled oats, pharmaceutical nettles and even frozen vegetables from soup kits, which can be easily purchased in many stores. There are cases where snails ate cottage cheese, raw eggs and even raw meat. It is forbidden to give the snail food containing salt; it is deadly for it. Flour products, sugar and fried foods can cause the same effect.

In order for a snail to grow a beautiful shell, it needs to add a source of calcium to its food. To do this, you can buy sepia (the so-called cuttlefish bone or cuttlefish comb) at the pet store. Natural chalk, ground eggshells, or simply crushed calcium gluconate tablets are also suitable. With an acute lack of calcium, the shells can even become translucent and the snail’s body can be seen through them. If your pet chews on its own shell (or the shell of its neighbor), it means that it is seriously lacking calcium in its diet.

With proper maintenance, snails are easily domesticated and tamed. Mollusks have long-term memory. If you handle them with care, then they get used to you easily and quickly: somewhere from the first months they calmly fall into your hands. But there are cases when snails born in captivity never got used to being handled once again.

A snail is a mollusk of the Gastropod class. It is difficult to confuse it with other animals due to the presence of a protective shell and a slow lifestyle. These unique mollusks take root well not only in the wild, but also at home. Aquarium enthusiasts often use them, but do not know how long snails live. This indicator depends on many factors with which you can significantly extend the life of your pet.

Snails can be kept in a home aquarium

General information

Anyone who wants to keep a mollusk in their aquarium should know its structure, behavior and food preferences. Not only the life expectancy of the snail, but also its health will depend on this.

Structure of the mollusk

Less knowledgeable people often call all gastropods with external shells snails. However, this is not quite true. Home distinctive feature The body structure of these mollusks is considered. It consists of 4 main parts:

heads;
mantle fold;
internal sac.

In addition to the shell, snails have other distinctive features buildings

This aquarium inhabitant moves by contracting muscles that create wave-like movements. For smoother and more comfortable movement on a hard surface, the skin of snails secretes special mucus.

Inside the animal's shell there is a visceral sac twisted in the form of a spiral. In addition, the mollusk has gills, with the help of which it feels comfortable in aquatic environment. They are located in the mantle and consist of several parts (inlet and outlet siphon). Also in the mantle are:

renal ducts;
intestines;
excretory system;
genitals;
lungs (only in creatures living on land).

The snail's head deserves special attention. All the most important organs of the animal are located on it, such as the oral cavity, stalks with eyes and tentacles, which act as an organ of touch.

All snails, like many other molluscs, have a protective shell. It consists of the following layers:

Periostracum. It is the thinnest of all and consists of the protein conchiolin. This layer serves as protection against external factors and covers the entire sink.
Ostracum. It consists of calcium carbonate and is the basis of the entire “house” of the mollusk.
Hypostracum. This is the inner layer of the shell that is in contact with the snail's body.

Snail nutrition

The food preferences of all gastropods directly depend on their habitat. Due to their low mobility, snails do not have the right to sort out food and eat everything they come across. The variety of their “dishes” is amazing. The diet may include the following:

fish fry;
crustaceans;
insects;
worms;

Snails are omnivores, but you need to make sure they have enough calcium in their diet.

carrion;
plant remains;
fresh plants;
smaller snails.

For land dwellers, typical food can be plant leaves, berries, grass, tree bark, fruits and vegetables.

The main mineral for all types of snails is calcium. It must be included in the animal’s diet, otherwise the creature will begin to eat its shell, which will lead to its destruction. Aquarium inhabitants can be fed with the following delicacies:

plants for the aquarium;
fish food;
finely chopped vegetables and fruits;
algae tablets;
eggshell.

Lifespan

One of the main indicators of proper snail care is their life expectancy. It depends on many components, if observed, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of these creatures for many years.

Main Factors

Each type of snail is unique and has its own characteristics, which in one way or another affect life expectancy. All of them have been studied for a long time and allow aquarium lovers to properly care for their pets.

To increase the lifespan of snails, do not limit their diet to fish food only.

How long snails live at home depends on several main factors. Among them it is worth highlighting the following:

Proper nutrition. It is the basis of a long and healthy life shellfish Some aquarium species They get used to the food very quickly and eat other foods without much desire. To prevent this from happening, you need to change your diet as often as possible and include new foods in it.
In order for animals to live a long life, they need to be protected from sudden temperature changes.
Shellfish need to be constantly fed with calcium carbonate. It is very important for their body and helps them develop normally. This substance is contained in the shells of chicken eggs, as well as chalk.
For snails living on land, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable level of humidity for them.
When breeding, it is best to place them in a separate aquarium. This way you can protect eggs and future young animals from aquarium fish who will happily eat them.

It is better to cover the aquarium where snails live.

It is very important to control the number of shellfish in the aquarium. In large quantities, they can harm other inhabitants or simply begin to starve.
When keeping and breeding snails, it is very important not to leave the top lid of the aquarium open. Some species are able to climb a vertical barrier and crawl out.
Under no circumstances should you give snails any salty food. Salt is for them deadly poison. When it enters the body, the animal quickly dies.

Diseases and pests

All gastropods do not have very strong immunity, so if not proper care they may get sick and die. This is what will determine how many years the snails live in the aquarium. To prevent Negative consequences, you need to know what diseases snails have. The most dangerous among them are:

Cracked, holed or broken sink. This disease is much more common than others and can cause the death of the animal. If the slightest damage is detected, you must immediately transfer the mollusk to another aquarium and increase the amount of calcium in its diet. In addition, you need to provide him ideal conditions for life, such as complete rest, optimal water temperature, high humidity (for land species).
Shell lamination. In most cases, this problem occurs due to poor nutrition. Other reasons for its occurrence may be severe stress to which the animal was exposed (sharp temperature changes, starvation), as well as poor heredity.

Snails have a number of diseases that aquarium owners should know about.

White coating on the “house” of the mollusk. Appears when the animal is kept in improper conditions or when the animal ages. Sometimes the cause of such an ailment is abrasion that appears as a result of exposure to any external factors on the sink.
Burns. If not properly cared for, the snail can get a chemical or thermal burn. Its first signs are minimal mobility and hiding in the shell. Increasing humidity and including juicy foods in the daily diet (cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkin, watermelon, strawberries, apples, pears, etc.) will help correct the situation.
Poisoning. This problem occurs due to poor quality or stale food. At the first signs, you need to immediately remove the remnants of the old food and add new (fresher) food.
Organ prolapse. Occurs when injured. It can be caused not only by any object in the aquarium, but also by the influence of its other inhabitants.
Self-chewing. There are often situations in which a mollusk begins to eat its shell. This unusual action occurs due to a lack of calcium in his body. Other reasons may be severe stress and bad heredity.

Natural enemies

Snails, like everyone else gastropods, are one of the most favorite products of many inhabitants of water and land. Because of this, they often die and do not live to their expected age. At home, exclusion from the aquarium will help solve this problem. natural enemies snails . These include the following aquarium inhabitants:

veiltail, telescope, lionhead and other representatives of the Goldfish family.

Some types of aquarium fish eat snails

In the wild, snails have even more enemies. They all enjoy eating shellfish, as they are nutritious and easily accessible. In aquatic inhabitants wild conditions these enemies:

sardines, gobies, mackerel, herring;
Starfish;
hermit crabs;
trout;
frogs;
herons and storks.

In the wild, snails have many more enemies than in an aquarium

Land dwellers are not deprived of the attention of predators either. They are susceptible to attack not only by mammals, but also by reptiles and birds. The enemies of snails living on land are:

thrush;
all types of lizards;
boar;
mole.

To determine how long large snails live and maximize this indicator, you need to try to provide them with comfortable living conditions. Each type has its own nuances of content, but in most cases they are very similar. These include:

Volumetric container for contents. One large snail needs at least 10 liters of water.
An aquarium with snails should not be placed next to lamps or other lighting fixtures. In addition, you need to avoid direct sunlight.
Peat, tree bark, and sawdust can be used as soil.

One snail requires a space of at least 0.01 m3 (10 liters of water)

For aquarium specimens, it is necessary to constantly maintain the water temperature from +25 °C to +30 °C.
For land snails, you need to maintain a constant level of moisture and monitor the condition of the litter.
The container in which snails live must be cleaned regularly.

Aquarium or terrarium long-livers

Of all the types of snails that can be kept at home, several long-livers stand out. Many of them are large mollusks and can reach truly large sizes. The longest-livers are:

Akhatina. This type of mollusk can please owners for at least 5 years, and with proper care and compliance with all maintenance rules - 10 years. In the wild, they are quite rare and cause irreparable harm. agriculture. Because of this, they often become victims of humans and rarely live to “retirement” age.

The maximum lifespan of a grape snail is 7 years

Grape. To understand how long a grape snail lives, you need to create the most comfortable conditions for it. If everything is done correctly, she can live from 6 to 7 years. This species has the ability to regenerate organs, so even with serious damage it can survive and return to normal.
Maryse. Its natural habitat is swamps, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water with rich vegetation. In an aquarium, she feels no less comfortable and can live up to 4 years.
Ampularia. For this type of snail, maintaining the water temperature at 23-25 °C is vital. Under such conditions, she can live for about 4 years.
Pokemon. These representatives of gastropods are very bright, originally colored and look great in an aquarium. Their main disadvantage is their life expectancy, which is only 1 year.

Tilomelania will decorate your aquarium with its unusual shell shape

Red reel. This freshwater beauty is unpretentious to food and can even feed on carrion. She can live for at least two years.
Thylomelania. One of the most beautiful snails that requires special conditions. Aquarium enthusiasts are advised to keep it separate from other species. This way she can live much longer and reach the age of 7 years.
Neretina. It lives for about a year, but during this period it often reproduces. It is very useful for an aquarium, as it eats most rotten algae.
Helena. A special feature of this species is its ability to eat other mollusks. She lives for about two years and reproduces well.
Pagoda. This snail is nocturnal, which is why it is not very popular. Over the 2 years of its existence, it is able to cope with excess algae and plants.

Snails are wonderful creatures that can not only decorate an aquarium, but also be useful. With proper maintenance and compliance with all recommendations of professionals, you can significantly extend their life and enjoy their beauty.

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