New snail ownder - Outside habitats

[debram63]

Hi:

I am new to this forum and also new to having snails.  I have had snails for about six months now and at the beginning everything was fine.  I had moved them to a larger container.  They seemed happy and healthy.  Of late, though, I have had some dying and their shells on the newer snails seem fragile and generally they don't seem healthy like they did when I first got them.  I am constantly battling fruit flies and I worry that it stays too wet in there.  They have stopped reproducing.  Their diet is red leaf lettuce, kale, apples, cucumbers, squash and fresh basil when I can find it.  

I was considering moving them outside to an enclosure out there where there is more room, etc., for them and easier for me to clean and maintain.  I do have skunks, etc., and other animals which may be predators to them so wanted to create an enclosed area for them to be in. 

So:  The questions I have are:

Would a greenhouse type enclosure be suitable?

What about temperatures outside - it can get into the 20s one or two days in the wintertime but that is not typical.  Of note, there are some snails that appear to be living in the periwinkle in the yard that seem to be surviving but I am sure they burrow down under the foliage.  These snails are active even in the winter.

For walls on the enclosures would small screen be better than plastic?  I don't want it to get too hot in the summer, though of course it would be in a shady spot.  

Any advice would be appreciated!  

Debra





 

[diegothesnailkeeper]

First of what kind of snails do you have? Are they GALS or normal garden snails? If they're GALS you may need to keep a heat mat during the winter. For humidity if you really want to be precise in the humidity you can buy a humidity meter for reptiles or do what I do which is use the substrate as a meter. hold the substrate and if it feels muddy then its probably too humid if its dry then its dry. For their shells have you been giving them calcium and protein? Yes calcium is important but snails eat dead animals too to get protein and vitamin D which gives them strong shells, try giving them egg yolk overnight and in the morning remove it before it stinks. Also only give protein once a week for snails don't need too much of it, and for me i think a plastic container is good enough in the summer because it will stay in a shady place as long as there is ventilation in the room your snails will be fine. You can see if the enclosure is too hot when it dries up quickly. I'm sorry if i cant answer your questions about winter for i live in the tropics( the Philippines). Hope this helps you good luck:)

[Liguus]

A greenhouse would be insane (in a good way) if you want to build one and devote it completely to snails. My favorite set up so far is to make a large wooden rectangle enclosure in the yard with a closing mesh top, and plant it full of lettuce. If you just want to transfer snails outside you could also turn a large clear storage container (whatever size you want) into an outside terrarium; just cut a big strip out of  the lid and cover it with mesh, same at the bottom to let out water that gets in with the rain.

[optimus]

What is your view of snails?What is the coldest temperature?

[witchpig]

Yes, Diego makes a good point about calcium. The best calcium source is cuttlebone. It is found in the bird section of pet stores. Protein is important, and is plentiful in a snail favourite: Sweet Potato.

[optimus]

Feb 11, 2017 16:12:57 GMT witchpig said:

Yes, Diego makes a good point about calcium. The best calcium source is cuttlebone. It is found in the bird section of pet stores. Protein is important, and is plentiful in a snail favourite: Sweet Potato.

Snails feed potatoes?

[Liguus]

Feb 11, 2017 7:27:29 GMT optimus said:

What is your view of snails?What is the coldest temperature?

Depends on the species.

[barnaclesnail]

My first thought is these snails have no calcium in their diet.

Cuttlebone is great, although some wild caught snails either don't like it or take enough to meet their dietary calcium needs. I use RepCal, but there are several reptile calcium supplements available on the market, and all should be safe for snails.

[owlkitties]

Feb 19, 2017 0:50:10 GMT barnaclesnail said:

My first thought is these snails have no calcium in their diet.

Cuttlebone is great, although some wild caught snails either don't like it or take enough to meet their dietary calcium needs. I use RepCal, but there are several reptile calcium supplements available on the market, and all should be safe for snails.

My three are wild caught and they have a bowl of Fluker's. It has more than just calcium. They get their protien and other nutrients from it. They nom on it whenever they feel like it and also eat the fresh vegies provided. I just moisten it to a paste consistency and refill it as needed. they seem  to be happy and healthy and any shell mishaps are healed quickly.

[witchpig]

Snails eat sweet potatoes, not normal potatoes.