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Post by feelahthetigress on Aug 10, 2012 15:55:16 GMT
Eh, I thought about it, but I decided against it once I found that you could freeze veggies. It pretty much clears up my needs. Plus, I'm worries that cat biscuits once soaked would mould faster than anything in a humid tank...
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Post by graemepryce on Aug 13, 2012 18:56:56 GMT
If you buy a box of dried cat or dog food it will last basically forever if sealedup. Snails will eat them dry or for a special treat you could splash a little beer over them, mine love that.
It is worth remembering that snails are able to eat paper and cardboard too. They have enzymes that we don't, that can break down cellulose so they can actually get some calorific intake from it. It is probably best to make sure it is good quality uncoloured paper or card though and it woudn't be sufficient for a complete diet, just something for them to nibble on and not get bored while waiting for veggies! In the UK helix aspersa often eat the stamps off letters in postboxes!
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Post by pinkunicorn on Aug 14, 2012 6:47:20 GMT
Oh yes the paper thing is in fact a handy idea to keep in mind if there is absolutely no other food available. Unbleached and uncoloured environment friendly paper is the best. Snails have cellulose digesting enzyme unlike humans, it's why they can get so much energy out of plain lettuce or any green leafy material just like cows and horses can. And since paper is pure cellulose it's like white sugar for snails calorie-wise. Lacks vitamins of course but will keep their tummies full if nothing else is available.
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Post by feelahthetigress on Aug 15, 2012 3:15:04 GMT
Isn't paper full of chemicals and stuff from the manufacturing process? Not saying that it would necessarily kill them (because they are actually fairly tough beasties), but I'm just wondering if it's good for them over time. Amusingly, when my snails arrived in the mail, they were eating holes the box they were shipped in! The reason it's funny is because the seller was just telling me he was unwilling to put a damp paper towel in there for moisture because he didn't want them eating harmful paper, and then he just throws them in a cardboard box and they ate that instead. I can't even imagine his mind-frame with that decision...
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Post by graemepryce on Aug 15, 2012 6:51:46 GMT
Yeah, i agree about the chemicals, that's why I wouldn't suggest it as something to do often. It is worth bearing in mind if you are going away somewhere for a day or two or you notice your snails hunting around and you don't have anything in for them. My best suggestion is dry dog biscuits or trail mix or something like that. They can get moisture from lots of other sources so they will happily munch dry food.
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actos
Achatina achatina
Posts: 80
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Post by actos on Aug 15, 2012 9:00:36 GMT
Soaked cat crunchies are eaten so fast, there's no chance of them getting mouldy! At least with Dave and his babies. Of course, it helps that I have cats, so always have dry cat food in the house.
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