Achatina reticulata, Achatina achatina &Achatina zanzibarica

[masterofarts]

Hi Folks,

I have always been rubbish at nomenclature when it comes to snails so I thought I would join this forum to get the best advice when needed.

Could someone ID this baby for me, I am more than positive it is a Achatina reticulata, I received it yesterday. 



Currently around 3cm in size, eating well.

The snail is living in a plastic storage tub. The Temp is around 26-27c with a humidity of 70 - 75%. The snail when large enough will be housed in an exo terra 90x45x90cm.

Soil wise I am using exo terra plantation soil (coconut husk) this is bioactive with some exotic woodlice. I was going to add springtails but thought they may irritate the snail.

If you would be kind enough to confirm a full ID.

Thanks again, 

MasterOfArts. 

[masterofarts]

Here are some other pictures before this little lovely goes to sleep for the day....

Nursery




Some more pictures for ID purposes.... 

[Cashell]

It looks like achatina reticulata to me. The shell pattern, grey head and cream foot give it away.

[masterofarts]

Hi Cashell,

Thanks for getting back to me, thats good news.

Not that I doubted the seller but mistakes can happen hence why I wanted to double check here.

I cant find much information at all on these, anything I do find seems to be aimed at the albino varient.

Do we have anything on this forum that is specific to them at all thats a good read?

Today I named the snail Ahsoka Tano who was the padwan learner of Anakin Skywalker

Today I added some lime stone powder(CaCO3) to the substrate and mixed it through the soil, about 2 tablespoons worth to aid calcium intake.

I am also making some of the snail grub based on hemp seed mixture and just waiting on the chicken feed to arrive, I will feed this once or twice a week.

The good thing about this mixture is I think my dubia cockroaches will like it.

The cockroaches are a feeder insect for my red Eye Tree Frogs.

Thanks again for your help.

Kind Regards,

MasterOfArts.

[finch]

He's adorable! If only they were legal in the US.

[Cashell]

Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on this species as I don't have one. They're unfortunately illegal in North America. That said, I'm fairly good at identifying many of the common species.

[masterofarts]

Hello All,

Thank you for your comments and likes.

I thought I would change the thread to a diary now this youngling is itentified.

I have updated the living quarters and the snail is now housed in a vented plant propagation tub.

I went for the type with holes in the bottom so that the substrate gets ventilation. I have cut a bit of spare waterproof linoleum and placed it on the floor before I added the soil.



It seems to have settled in just nicely. This snail is a fussy eater but I will continue to add and feed a variety of foods.

Here it is eating some of my homebrew snail grub...







The shell is absolutely stunning....




And finally some exploring before it goes to sleep for the day.





Any tips on how to get it eating more of a variety would be a great help. It does like butternut squash and a bit of sweet potato as per the pictures but it aint too keen on carrot.

[finch]

Try mixing shredded carrot in with some butternut squash and increasing the amount of carrot while decreasing the squash. That might help.

[kaidashade]

I have one of these guys living with my fulicas. He's quite fond of butternut squash as well but he seems to eat everything they do, including green beans as an apparent favourite.

[masterofarts]

Aug 18, 2017 9:52:04 GMT kaidashade said:

I have one of these guys living with my fulicas. He's quite fond of butternut squash as well but he seems to eat everything they do, including green beans as an apparent favourite.

I shall try some green beans, still in the pod or what?

What size did your snail grow to?

From what I have read.... Achatina reticulata are the second largest GALS out them all with Achatina achatina bein the largest or am I completely wrong?

[kaidashade]

Aug 19, 2017 13:34:53 GMT masterofarts said:

Aug 18, 2017 9:52:04 GMT kaidashade said:

I have one of these guys living with my fulicas. He's quite fond of butternut squash as well but he seems to eat everything they do, including green beans as an apparent favourite.

I shall try some green beans, still in the pod or what?

What size did your snail grow to?

From what I have read.... Achatina reticulata are the second largest GALS out them all with Achatina achatina bein the largest or am I completely wrong?

I was under the impression that margies and the other archacatina were bigger but I could be wrong. Breakdown isn't fully grown yet I don't think but they're about 10cm long on the shell at the moment. As for the beans, they only seem to eat the outside and leave the beans themselves.

[masterofarts]

Aug 20, 2017 8:16:08 GMT kaidashade said:

Aug 19, 2017 13:34:53 GMT masterofarts said:

I shall try some green beans, still in the pod or what?

What size did your snail grow to?

From what I have read.... Achatina reticulata are the second largest GALS out them all with Achatina achatina bein the largest or am I completely wrong?

I was under the impression that margies and the other archacatina were bigger but I could be wrong. Breakdown isn't fully grown yet I don't think but they're about 10cm long on the shell at the moment. As for the beans, they only seem to eat the outside and leave the beans themselves.

Ill Google it and have a look.

Im sure it was the website for this forum that described Achatina achatina as the largest GALS?

Maybe a mod or admin can share some knowledge?

[masterofarts]

Hello Folks,

To all that are interested in Achatina reticulata, I have attached what I think are better pictures









Next up I will get pictures of the bioactive soil that contains the woodlice.

I have a decent microscope with a rubbish camera lens for it...

Ill try get some decent shots of them and any dust mites lurking in my home lol.

Enjoy

Edit: I wonder if I should have called the snail Freddie but I guess that would be dead common given the Taxa's natural habitat?

[cassahh]

I'm jealous, that's one beautiful snail baby! 😍

[masterofarts]

The growth rate of this snail is mento, check out the new shell growth in a little over 3-4 weeks tops...









I have a funny feeling this snail will be a monster.

Im kinda recording the snails favorite food or what I have noticed it will eat..

Courgette, loves green bean pods as previously suggested, loves the DIY snail grub, cucumber of course which is a treat only,iak leaf lettuce, cheap fish food, kale & butternut squash.

I have tried my best to get it to eat dandelion and other wild leaves as I pick a lot for my tortoise but it isnt having any of it, stubborn.

[masterofarts]

Hello,

Been a while since I have posted any updates.

I have been that impressed with the garland range of propagation tubs I have decided to buy the largest one on the market to house Ashoka.

Here are a couple of pictures, the older at the top and the new housing at the bottom...





The sizes as per garland website: 58cm (23") Long 40.5cm (16") Wide 22.5cm (9") High.

If you are interested in these units here is the makers website: www.garlandproducts.com/xl-high-dome-propagator.html

I purchased mine online for around £13 but I see they sell up to £25 which of course is extremely expensive but its the best I have used so far.

Ashoka is growing fast.

The latest breakthrough is that carrots are now excepted.

Here is some up to date pictures of Ashoka in her new environment during maintenance.
















So a little bit of maintenance done today and the lid back on until tomorrow's feed



If any of you are wondering what the green moss that was in the substrate, well its marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei) shredded up. I dont know how well it will do in this setup but I do know it can live outside water in a humid environment.

Here are some I have left in their natural form as I am going to give a couple to my Mrs in a nice but large glass jar with pebbles in the bottom...



I hope you are enjoying this thread.

Peace out and have a lovely weekend.

All the best,

MOA.

[astana]

Oh wow! These pictures are amazing! And your setup is so cool. I happen to have a couple Marimos myself, and I would caution that they don't work very well unless always moist.

[masterofarts]

Oct 1, 2017 5:12:31 GMT astana said:

Oh wow! These pictures are amazing! And your setup is so cool. I happen to have a couple Marimos myself, and I would caution that they don't work very well unless always moist.

Thanks Astana. Yes I will keep my eye on the moss if it starts to deteriorate I will plop the bits into water.

Anyone know whats a good moss to use?

[masterofarts]

This is what I made the wife, she liked it especially after I explained why I was giving her them.



Here is a bit of folklore in them...

mossballpets.com/blogs/news/the-legend-of-your-mossball-pet

Cheap to make and lasts at least 100 years.

I got 10 moss balls for £7, the jar for £2 and a bag of stones for £1.

The rest of the moss balls I have put in my frog setup in the filtered water area.

I used to keep quite a lot of these when I kept fish tanks.

[Rapps]

Knowing that people keep marimo as pets, I feel bad for them being shredded ;p Retics grow so quickly, I have a pair and they're just growing like weeds! It's so fun taking photos to compare their growth.

Can I ask where you got that log decoration (or what brand it is)? I'm desperate to find artificial sticks and logs because I'm tired of the real ones getting moldy and having to be thrown away, they don't last very long.

[masterofarts]

Oct 1, 2017 21:13:44 GMT Rapps said:

Knowing that people keep marimo as pets, I feel bad for them being shredded ;p Retics grow so quickly, I have a pair and they're just growing like weeds! It's so fun taking photos to compare their growth.

Can I ask where you got that log decoration (or what brand it is)? I'm desperate to find artificial sticks and logs because I'm tired of the real ones getting moldy and having to be thrown away, they don't last very long.

Dont feel bad about shreding moss balls thats generally how you would produce baby clones.

My wife bought the log once she comes in I will find out where she got it from

[masterofarts]

Oct 1, 2017 21:13:44 GMT Rapps said:

Can I ask where you got that log decoration (or what brand it is)? I'm desperate to find artificial sticks and logs because I'm tired of the real ones getting moldy and having to be thrown away, they don't last very long.

Spoke to the wife she confirmed she got it from pets at home in the aquatic section, cost £10.

[Rapps]

Oct 3, 2017 7:28:25 GMT masterofarts said:

Oct 1, 2017 21:13:44 GMT Rapps said:

Can I ask where you got that log decoration (or what brand it is)? I'm desperate to find artificial sticks and logs because I'm tired of the real ones getting moldy and having to be thrown away, they don't last very long.

Spoke to the wife she confirmed she got it from pets at home in the aquatic section, cost £10.

Thanks, appreciated! Might just pop in to find out what brand it is and look for it elsewhere ;p Pets at Home are bloody extortionate, lol.

[masterofarts]

Yeah I know, I am sure Komodo does a range of aquatic logs, eBay your best bet. Thats the brand of the food dish and I think I got that from amazon quite cheap.

[masterofarts]

Found an old battery operated light that I bought from home bargins about 2 years ago so I thought I would put it to some use for display purposes only since the dark Knights are nearly here....







I took the pictures at about 6pm so a bit early for Ashoka to be roaming.