Post by maddophelia on Mar 18, 2017 21:53:21 GMT
Hello, fellow slug and snail aficionados!
I'm new to keeping slugs, and need some advice. First, the harrowing tale of how Spots (our slug, I think a deroceras reticulatum) came to reside with us:
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a woman and a man in a little house. The woman and the man exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts and plants, as was the custom, and then they sat down to dinner. But that night, there was an unexpected guest: a tiny baby slug that had apparently accidentally hitched a ride on one of the plants, and was now crawling across the kitchen table. Instantly, the woman took a liking to the tiny beast. The three became a family, and they lived happily ever after.
…Well, for about a month, anyway. That brings us to the present day. When Spots first appeared, I began researching food sources for slugs, thinking I’d place the little baby outside onto whatever plant would give it the best chance. The more I read about parasites and predation, though, the more I came to believe the baby would have its best chance at survival if I kept it and made a habitat for it. I bought a terrarium, some reptile substrate, and a spray bottle for misting, and so far, Spots is doing very well.
BUT! Shockingly, what I thought was still a juvenile slug just deposited the cutest little clutch of four eggs!! So, some questions:
How do I clean the terrarium without killing the eggs?
How often should I change the substrate and clean the terrarium? I’ve read instructions ranging from every week to every month. I don’t want to disturb Spots any more often than I have to.
Is there anything I can do to support Spots, who seems quite tired after laying the eggs? Special food or anything?
How do I keep Spots from estivating over the spring and summer?
I’m sure more will come to mind, but for now, my biggest worry is keeping the eggs intact while supporting and caring for Spots.
Thanks all!
I'm new to keeping slugs, and need some advice. First, the harrowing tale of how Spots (our slug, I think a deroceras reticulatum) came to reside with us:
Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a woman and a man in a little house. The woman and the man exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts and plants, as was the custom, and then they sat down to dinner. But that night, there was an unexpected guest: a tiny baby slug that had apparently accidentally hitched a ride on one of the plants, and was now crawling across the kitchen table. Instantly, the woman took a liking to the tiny beast. The three became a family, and they lived happily ever after.
…Well, for about a month, anyway. That brings us to the present day. When Spots first appeared, I began researching food sources for slugs, thinking I’d place the little baby outside onto whatever plant would give it the best chance. The more I read about parasites and predation, though, the more I came to believe the baby would have its best chance at survival if I kept it and made a habitat for it. I bought a terrarium, some reptile substrate, and a spray bottle for misting, and so far, Spots is doing very well.
BUT! Shockingly, what I thought was still a juvenile slug just deposited the cutest little clutch of four eggs!! So, some questions:
How do I clean the terrarium without killing the eggs?
How often should I change the substrate and clean the terrarium? I’ve read instructions ranging from every week to every month. I don’t want to disturb Spots any more often than I have to.
Is there anything I can do to support Spots, who seems quite tired after laying the eggs? Special food or anything?
How do I keep Spots from estivating over the spring and summer?
I’m sure more will come to mind, but for now, my biggest worry is keeping the eggs intact while supporting and caring for Spots.
Thanks all!