lawra
Archachatina marginata
Posts: 15 
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Post by lawra on Aug 1, 2014 23:35:52 GMT
I got a new snail today, it is about half the size of the one I already have and has been identified as an Achatina Fulica. Not sure how old it is but I'm thinking it's not fully grown. Having been told the one I have is an Archachatina marginata ovum and I'm guessing they should be ok living together, unless anyone knows otherwise. Here is the new one  After getting back home with her I noticed what looked like eggs in the container she came in  If they are I won't be able to care for this many, looks like there is at least 30 of them so sadly I may have to freeze them  |
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Post by etana on Aug 2, 2014 6:10:06 GMT
That's unfortunately a part of snail owning, buying mature snails can mean they've mated in the previous home and may lay eggs, and you have to decide whether to destroy them. Edit: removed the rest, didn't notice at first it was the container and not the final tank... That seems odd to me. Edit 2: oh, of course, congrats on the new snail!  |
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lawra
Archachatina marginata
Posts: 15
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Post by lawra on Aug 2, 2014 12:38:17 GMT
Thanks. Yes the person I got the snail from was selling babies as well. I think the eggs may have been put in purposely to get rid of them. Oh well, not much I can do about it now. Will just have to be cruel to be kind as I'm sure there are plenty of unwanted baby snails around. Might keep a couple though :-)
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Post by morningcoffee on Aug 2, 2014 13:37:42 GMT
He looks like an adult snail and is probably around his full size from the photo (quite small pic so hard to see but he looks mature). Don't expect any snail to be the same size as a wild-caught margie - fulica are smaller anyway, but the wild-caught African margies are particularly enormous. Not even another margie is likely to be anywhere near the same size if it's captive-bred.
Unfortunately you will have to freeze the eggs as you will have a very hard time even giving away fulica babies and otherwise you will end up over-run with snails.
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Post by etana on Aug 2, 2014 15:27:19 GMT
Why is it that they don't grow as big in captivity?
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Post by morningcoffee on Aug 2, 2014 16:54:42 GMT
Why is it that they don't grow as big in captivity? Possibly due to stronger/more varied genetics in the wild and only the big strong snails surviving? I don't know for sure though. |
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lawra
Archachatina marginata
Posts: 15
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Post by lawra on Aug 2, 2014 23:23:22 GMT
Well the eggs are now in the freezer (except for 4) hee hee :-D
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Post by etana on Aug 3, 2014 6:03:58 GMT
Good for you lawra, good luck hatching the 4, here's hoping for lovely, healthy baby snails |
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Post by etana on Aug 3, 2014 6:09:39 GMT
Why is it that they don't grow as big in captivity? Possibly due to stronger/more varied genetics in the wild and only the big strong snails surviving? I don't know for sure though. Hmm. Thanks for the reply anyway. I was wondering if my future GALS tank could be built to help them grow bigger. Heh, I nearly want to change my uni major into biology and end up in mollusc research, way too little is known about these magnificent creatures. |
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Post by starcrazy19 on Aug 7, 2014 14:24:33 GMT
You'll probably find most people don't keep margies and fulica together, since they generally prefer different conditions but I've definitely seen reports from people who do keep them together with no problems! Worth keeping in mind though |
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