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Post by finch on May 4, 2017 23:34:20 GMT
Hi! I'm pretty new here and to the snail world in general, and I was wondering... What's the largest legal breed of snail I can get in the US? I read somewhere that I can get a Tiger Snail, but I'd need a permit? Is this true, and how would I get a permit? Are white jade snails legal, and how big are they full grown? Most of the pictures I've seen are maybe the size of a human hand (the body, slightly stretched out), give or take a little. Is www.snailsinthemail.com/ a reliable site to buy from? Has anyone gotten a snail/snails from them? If I accidentally bought an illegal snail (which I will do my best to avoid), would I be arrested? I would never purposely buy an illegal snail, but I just want to know in case a seller lies saying they're legal or a seller is misinformed. I may add more to this thread soon. Thanks, -paracosmic  |
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Post by Liguus on May 5, 2017 2:24:38 GMT
It depends. Caracolus marginella is the current largest legal snail you can obtain which can be shipped across state lines. If you live in a state where Helix pomatia is found, then that is the largest snail in the US (if you live where they are not found in the wild you are out of luck). Orthalicus tree snails were legal for a while, but people ruined it because now there are fears of over-collecting and the gov is about to list them as protected. They are an advanced species anyways though and not something any beginner should attempt to keep in captivity.
Permits are rarely granted, and when they are it's only to official institutions for research or zoos, NOT to pet owners.
Every giant snail is illegal, Tigers, white jades, etc. All Achatinidae! Also, ALL importation of snails is illegal. It doesn't even matter if the snails (i.e. Cepaea nemoralis) are found in your state already, more cannot be imported from Europe. Sounds strange, but I think the issue is that they may be carrying foreign parasites/viruses/bacteria, and in the postal system they would be crossing state lines anyways, which is outlawed.
Snailsinthemail is reputable, I know the owner.
The repercussions for importing snails illegally include a fine (either $30K or $300K ...I forgot the exact amount) and possibly 1 year in jail. I have not heard of anyone facing the full penalty (mostly just heard of people getting warnings, like ebay sellers), but if someone chooses to break the law they should know what they could be facing.
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Post by finch on May 5, 2017 12:15:17 GMT
It depends. Caracolus marginella is the current largest legal snail you can obtain which can be shipped across state lines. If you live in a state where Helix pomatia is found, then that is the largest snail in the US (if you live where they are not found in the wild you are out of luck). Orthalicus tree snails were legal for a while, but people ruined it because now there are fears of over-collecting and the gov is about to list them as protected. They are an advanced species anyways though and not something any beginner should attempt to keep in captivity. Permits are rarely granted, and when they are it's only to official institutions for research or zoos, NOT to pet owners. Every giant snail is illegal, Tigers, white jades, etc. All Achatinidae! Also, ALL importation of snails is illegal. It doesn't even matter if the snails (i.e. Cepaea nemoralis) are found in your state already, more cannot be imported from Europe. Sounds strange, but I think the issue is that they may be carrying foreign parasites/viruses/bacteria, and in the postal system they would be crossing state lines anyways, which is outlawed. Snailsinthemail is reputable, I know the owner. The repercussions for importing snails illegally include a fine (either $30K or $300K ...I forgot the exact amount) and possibly 1 year in jail. I have not heard of anyone facing the full penalty (mostly just heard of people getting warnings, like ebay sellers), but if someone chooses to break the law they should know what they could be facing. Man, the US really stinks in the snail area. So, basically my answer is that I'm stuck with the snails I have until I'm older and can move to a less restricted place. Well, I guess I can deal with that, I love the snails that I'm allowed to own. Helix pomatia...? Are they allowed? Welp, back to the drawing board. I can doodle snails for a few more years Thanks, HelixPomatia -paracosmic |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on May 5, 2017 18:22:10 GMT
Consider Cepaea gigaralis. 🤥 They live in your state and can grow to 10 cm! 🙃
KIDDING!
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Post by Liguus on May 5, 2017 20:53:45 GMT
Man, the US really stinks in the snail area. So, basically my answer is that I'm stuck with the snails I have until I'm older and can move to a less restricted place. Well, I guess I can deal with that, I love the snails that I'm allowed to own. Helix pomatia...? Are they allowed? Yup. There are really only a few limited options for snail keepers in the USA: 1. Keep the snails found in your state 2. Become a criminal (not recommended) 3. Move to a different state where better snails are found (although if that's your only reason for moving to a different state it doesn't sound like the best of ideas) 4. Find some Caracolus marginella (legal to cross state lines). Drymaeus are legal as well, but you know...Difficulty level = Expert. Helix pomatia are not allowed, unless you live in one of the states they are found in. |
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Post by finch on May 5, 2017 23:40:20 GMT
Man, the US really stinks in the snail area. So, basically my answer is that I'm stuck with the snails I have until I'm older and can move to a less restricted place. Well, I guess I can deal with that, I love the snails that I'm allowed to own. Helix pomatia...? Are they allowed? Yup. There are really only a few limited options for snail keepers in the USA: 1. Keep the snails found in your state 2. Become a criminal (not recommended) 3. Move to a different state where better snails are found (although if that's your only reason for moving to a different state it doesn't sound like the best of ideas) 4. Find some Caracolus marginella (legal to cross state lines). Drymaeus are legal as well, but you know...Difficulty level = Expert. Helix pomatia are not allowed, unless you live in one of the states they are found in. A bit disappointing, but that's okay. I'm going to try and breed a genetic line of large snails from the largest out of the litter hatching soon. One question: can I breed snails that are siblings...? Will that result in deformed snails, like with mammals? Thanks, -paracosmic |
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Post by finch on May 5, 2017 23:42:48 GMT
Consider Cepaea gigaralis. 🤥 They live in your state and can grow to 10 cm! 🙃 KIDDING!Wow! I just found one on my doorstep, it's a magnificent neon pink and purple swirled pattern! There are six of them crawling across my window, each with a different colored glowing shell! Lol. |
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Post by kaidashade on May 6, 2017 20:40:08 GMT
Yup. There are really only a few limited options for snail keepers in the USA: 1. Keep the snails found in your state 2. Become a criminal (not recommended) 3. Move to a different state where better snails are found (although if that's your only reason for moving to a different state it doesn't sound like the best of ideas) 4. Find some Caracolus marginella (legal to cross state lines). Drymaeus are legal as well, but you know...Difficulty level = Expert. Helix pomatia are not allowed, unless you live in one of the states they are found in. A bit disappointing, but that's okay. I'm going to try and breed a genetic line of large snails from the largest out of the litter hatching soon. One question: can I breed snails that are siblings...? Will that result in deformed snails, like with mammals? Thanks, -paracosmic I would not advise it, that's how you get genetic disorders. But you can definitely start with several pairs of big snails and breed form there. |
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Post by finch on May 6, 2017 23:33:00 GMT
A bit disappointing, but that's okay. I'm going to try and breed a genetic line of large snails from the largest out of the litter hatching soon. One question: can I breed snails that are siblings...? Will that result in deformed snails, like with mammals? Thanks, -paracosmic I would not advise it, that's how you get genetic disorders. But you can definitely start with several pairs of big snails and breed form there. Could one parent be the same? I have this really pretty snail who's super big, and I want more snails like her. |
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Post by kaidashade on May 7, 2017 16:38:43 GMT
I would not advise it, that's how you get genetic disorders. But you can definitely start with several pairs of big snails and breed form there. Could one parent be the same? I have this really pretty snail who's super big, and I want more snails like her. You could, I guess, but inbreeding in general should probably be avoided. Either you'd have to start keeping family trees for the subsequent generations or you should see if you can find another big one to start off with |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on May 7, 2017 18:00:18 GMT
kaidashade Agreed! I'd avoid inbreeding at all costs and try to find another large, unrelated snail.
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Post by finch on May 7, 2017 18:29:35 GMT
Thanks Cashell and kaidashade, I'll try to find another pair of big snails to breed instead. Could you guys please check out the thread I made called "Ebay Sellers..."? I really need answers quickly. Thanks again |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on May 7, 2017 18:49:51 GMT
Thanks Cashell and kaidashade, I'll try to find another pair of big snails to breed instead. Could you guys please check out the thread I made called "Ebay..."? I really need answers quickly. Thanks again If I were you, I'd delete that thread ASAP! ☠😨☠ |
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Post by finch on May 7, 2017 21:52:45 GMT
Thanks Cashell and kaidashade, I'll try to find another pair of big snails to breed instead. Could you guys please check out the thread I made called "Ebay..."? I really need answers quickly. Thanks again If I were you, I'd delete that thread ASAP! ☠😨☠ Really? Why...? |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on May 7, 2017 22:52:52 GMT
If I were you, I'd delete that thread ASAP! ☠😨☠ Really? Why...? One word: TROUBLE! |
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Post by finch on May 7, 2017 23:12:21 GMT
I'm sorry, but does that mean that the eBay seller might get upset...? Please give more information. (I don't mean to sound rude) |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on May 7, 2017 23:23:06 GMT
Preparing a message... stay tuned if possible...
Edit: SENT. Consequences and other details explained.
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Post by Liguus on May 8, 2017 2:01:54 GMT
I'm going to try and breed a genetic line of large snails from the largest out of the litter hatching soon. One question: can I breed snails that are siblings...? Will that result in deformed snails, like with mammals? It's possible but there might be limitations with the genetics. I.e. it may be harder to get a giant Cepaea than a giant H. aspersa (i.e. H. aspersa 'maxima'). You want to try and avoid inbreeding, but with snails you would need to a have a severely inbred group before problems start occurring. With regular culling to mix up the offspring and a decently sized founder group you shouldn't expect to see malformed snails all too often. |
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Post by Riceball on May 8, 2017 2:48:06 GMT
I don't mean to jump right in, but a big snail you could own in certain states is the Rosy Wolf Snail. If you live in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, or South Carolina. You can own one! They're very invasive so I don't recommend owning one if you don't live in these states.
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Post by finch on May 8, 2017 13:18:14 GMT
I don't mean to jump right in, but a big snail you could own in certain states is the Rosy Wolf Snail. If you live in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, or South Carolina. You can own one! They're very invasive so I don't recommend owning one if you don't live in these states. I am in North Carolina, and rosy wolf snails are very beautiful, but don't they eat smaller snails...? It would be hard for me to feed it little snails, even if they could be culls from my "H. Aspersa maxima breeding program". Thank you so much for helping, though! I'll still consider the rosy wolf snail. |
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on May 8, 2017 17:04:59 GMT
I don't mean to jump right in, but a big snail you could own in certain states is the Rosy Wolf Snail. If you live in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, or South Carolina. You can own one! They're very invasive so I don't recommend owning one if you don't live in these states. I am in North Carolina, and rosy wolf snails are very beautiful, but don't they eat smaller snails...? It would be hard for me to feed it little snails, even if they could be culls from my "H. Aspersa maxima breeding program". Thank you so much for helping, though! I'll still consider the rosy wolf snail. If I'm correct, I believe that Liguus or one of them other guys around here said that they had success with clam meat or something like that. |
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Post by Riceball on May 8, 2017 17:43:01 GMT
I am in North Carolina, and rosy wolf snails are very beautiful, but don't they eat smaller snails...? It would be hard for me to feed it little snails, even if they could be culls from my "H. Aspersa maxima breeding program". Thank you so much for helping, though! I'll still consider the rosy wolf snail. If I'm correct, I believe that Liguus or one of them other guys around here said that they had success with clam meat or something like that. It is possible to feed them that way, but you have to add calcium powered to the clam. So there always a second option to feeding a Rosy Wolf. |
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Post by finch on May 9, 2017 0:36:20 GMT
To both Cashell and Riceball:
I see... I'll seriously consider getting one at the end of the summer (snailsinthemail.com opens then). How long are their shells in inches? And are there albino variations? Thanks so much,
-paracosmic
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Post by Liguus on May 9, 2017 6:01:54 GMT
Yup, I have fed Euglandina with clam meat before, and yes, calcium powder must be added to it. There are leucistic variations of Cornu aspersum, also tan & yellow shell forms, but they seem to be more common in Europe. Snails in the mail likely has only average colored snails. C. aspersum has a 1 inch wide shell, Euglandina can grow up to 3.4 inch long shells.
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Post by Riceball on May 9, 2017 15:33:38 GMT
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