The name of the snail Akhatina fulika is translated into Russian as "giant achatina." Due to its large size and calm disposition, it becomes the home favorite of many. Indeed, these are social beings who are not afraid to be in the human hand. In addition, many of them like it when they are affectionately touched by the neck. Surprisingly, when the snail becomes scared, she, hiding in the house, begins to squeak.
Habitat
The birthplace of Achatina (photo of a mollusk is shown below) is Africa. But over time, man moved this creature to other continents. In most countries in which these mollusks were able to take root, they began to be considered pests, because they feed on cultivated vegetation and quickly breed. Achatine meat is tasteless; it is not customary to eat it even in African countries. This makes snails not popular with many peoples. Only in the CIS they fell in love and started to start as pets.
Features Achatina
The world's largest land snails Achatina are the most unpretentious species. Unlike their small relatives, they are smart enough and can have conditioned reflexes. Despite the fact that this mollusk does not claim special attention, it is able to learn how to respond to the owner’s hand and understand where the stranger is and where his owner is.
Snail description
The giant snails of Achatina are the largest representatives of their kind. The shell of this creature sometimes grows up to 25 cm in diameter, and its body 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 also it allows it not to dry out. Surprisingly, the color of the shell and its pattern can vary depending on the diet of the snail.
This unusually large mollusk has internal organs - the brain, kidney, heart, lung. But in addition, he breathes through the skin.
Achatina is 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, the snails are able to feel the degree of illumination, perhaps photosensitive cells on the body also help them in this, from which the mollusks do not tolerate too bright lighting.
These land snails detect odors well, for this they are equipped with sensitive skin on the front side and tentacles. The sole of the clam allows you to understand the texture and find out the shape of the subject.
Species of giant snails
Science knows about a hundred snails of this genus. The conditions of detention in almost all individuals are the same and do not differ significantly. The most undemanding in content and the most common in our country is Akhatina fulika. The shell of these representatives is colorful, but its tone may vary depending on what the mollusk eats. The soft body has a brownish-brown tone, and tubercles are noticeable on the skin. This species is leisurely and likes to relax.
If you want variety, you can consider Achatina reticulate as an option. It is also a common pet among the Russian population. The shell pattern has stripes and dots, and skin color varies from dark brown to black. A light border is noticeable 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
To maintain the snail usually does not require additional costs for the house and its arrangement. If there is 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 a 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 openings for air are suitable as a cover. If there are no holes, then at closing you should always leave a small click. Keeping the house open is not recommended, otherwise your pet will run away.
Home improvement
After the snail has chosen a suitable house, it is necessary to equip it. Loose soil is lined at the bottom with a layer of about 10 cm. It is needed so that Akhatina fulika lays and buries eggs. As the soil, 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 not allowed to cover the bottom of the Achatina terrarium. Caring for your pet can be individual, for example, if you wish, experiment with the composition of the soil. So the snail may like a layer of bark of pine needles, membranes of walnuts or just sand.
Any kind of soil in the terrarium must be kept moist, but at the same time not to make it too waterlogged. Such a measure will allow the snail to retain suitable moisture. Akhatina herself will tell you if she has enough moisture. So, if it climbs the walls, the humidity in the terrarium is high. If she does not like to protrude from the sink, she is too dry in the air and needs to add some water. Soil needs to be replaced every two months.
It can be noted that Akhatina fulika is not averse to swimming, so in her house, install a small container with some water. But the "pool" for the cochlea must be stable and weighty, so that during the procedures it does not roll over. Pour water "on the bottom" so that your pet does not choke. Clean the container once a week. Some owners sometimes bathe snails under a warm, running stream of water.
The mollusk does not need additional lighting. But for him, it is important to have pronounced night-day. Akhatins are predominantly nocturnal residents, and in daylight they prefer to hide. Therefore, you will have to make secluded places in the terrarium, putting driftwood, a large stone or other objects. If you plant a fern or ivy in a pot, which will be in the possession of the mollusk, it will become not only an ornament, but also an additional delicacy.
Terrarium temperature
Before you get 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 to create a lamp with dim light. It is better if the thermometer is periodically lowered into the terrarium to check. If the temperature in her home is less than 24 degrees, then the snail will become sluggish.
Achatina nutrition
We can say that the snail eats everything. But each individual may have their own taste preferences. Despite the "culinary preferences", the main item on the menu remains vegetable food. So they should eat apples, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, pumpkin, zucchini. Achatina do not refuse to eat bananas, peels from watermelons, berries, corn and others. In summer, young herbs such as clover and dandelions are added to the diet. It is noticed that these fickles do not like potatoes and carrots.
Pet menu can be diluted with oatmeal or fresh dry biscuits. Sometimes you can treat your favorite snail with egg protein or poultry.
Natural chalk and ground eggshells should always be in the terrarium, since 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 act as a female or male. In rare cases, when a population falls, an individual is able to fertilize on its own. But you should take care of your pet and give it to 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 coils. Six months later, the kids will become sexually mature. It is noteworthy that growth continues almost all my life.
Benefits of a Pet - Snails
Anyone who wants to get an animal, but does 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, Akhatina will hibernate without food. Having returned, you will sprinkle your favorite with some water, and he will wake up. And if you have time, you can start training the mollusk so that it develops conditioned reflexes. Also, in your free minutes you can admire this amazing creature or take it in your hand, feeling a giant snail slowly creeping along your hand.