Can snails be kept alone?

[lau]

Im sorry if this has been covered before but I couldnt find any previous posts on it.

Ive recently had two snails of mine die and have one fulica left, would it be ok to kept on his own or is it advisable to get another?

Many thanks

Laura

[section8angel]

My first snail which was a fulica, was kept on his own for about a week and he didn't do a lot but as soon as he had a friend he was out and about.

If you're worried about illness, then it might be wise to sort of quarantine him for a bit? And then add another one?

Sorry, probably not much help lol

[Deleted]

yeh theyre slightly less active on their own than with some friends

[Bumblebee]

So the best thing is to have to snails? But won't they lay a lot of eggs? What to do with them? I'm going to get my first snail soon I think, and I'm not ready for a lot of eggs =/ And is it bad for them to lay eggs over and over again?

[craftysnails]

Yes best have pairs or more. Dont worry about repeat laying eggs all you can do remove eggs and put in bag then freeze it few days then threw away or you know someone have tortoise or koi fishes they do eat them.

[erica]

I've just got my first GALS and was wondering if he needs a friend. I think I can cope wih the eggs thing if I do get another but what size tank would be best to keep them in if I had two? (At the moment Isaac's in one approx 45cm x 25cm and 30cm high, and he's about 4inches long).

And how easy is it to convince your friends to look after two snails when you go on holiday? (I'm having trouble convincing them one's okay!)
Erica

[(¯`·._.·[Samm]·._.·´¯)]

erica -

I think I can cope wih the eggs

I doubt it, they can lay 100's of eggs... best of to freeze most of them.
Also...If they have moss, and you go on holiday...they should be fine 'cause i bet they will eat the moss

lau - I have 4 GALS together...and there very active...So my observations are - Two snails = Happy Life

-Samm

[igby]

I'm not sure they'd eat the moss. None of mine do.

[loops]

No I don't think mine eat the moss either strange but true.

[igby]

What I mean is- I wouldn't rely on the moss keeping them alive while you go on holiday.
Much better if someone takes them for the time

[(¯`·._.·[Samm]·._.·´¯)]

But apperntly they eat the moss, well, his/hers snails do... xD
SO yo never know, i know i wouldnt reley on moss ;-)

[loops]

As for asking how easy is it to convince your friends too look after them,a couple of customers where I work look after my snails when I go away they must be about 60 and they love them and they find them fascinating Sheila especially loves bathing them so tell your mates if a couple of 60 year olds can deal with snails then so can the.

[erica]

i'm now on a quest to find a second snail - i can't bear the thought of him being lonely!

also, after reading about the moss thing, where do I get it? a garden centre? is there something specific I need to look for?

sorry, should i have put this question in a different section?
e

[loops]

I got mine from a garden centre near me,if you have access to ebay they sell it on there & I think somebody said they sell it at B&Q.

[erica]

thanks - i'm guessing it's just moss? there's noting special i have to look out for?

[loops]

I don't think so I don't know if you can get moss with chemicals in,I didn't see any.I just soaked mine in some really hot water and then rinsed it well before I used it.

[snaillover31]

they can be left alone, but really, wouldn't u be happier with a friend?

[Jen]

I was only going to get one but didnt want it to be lonely, but first time ever keeping snails I'm slightly worried about the eggs and what if I dont get them all?

[cleo]

Hi,

if you don't find all the eggs and you find babies, you can't keep, you could try to sell them or.....you have to freeze the little ones. But it's possible to find all the eggs, if you look into the soil continously you will find them. But....snails really don't like to live alone, you should get company for you snail.

[Rachel]

you could get a different type so they r less likely to mate. i never advise keeping snails alone.

[whodoesntlovesnails]

the snails just seem to be more active when they have someone to "talk" to.

-miley

[Leaf The Snail]

plus its fun to watch them play together ans sleep next to eachother at night.

[whodoesntlovesnails]

leafthesnail said:

plus its fun to watch them play together ans sleep next to eachother at night.

it is really cute. when i think of keeping snails with each other, i think of this. would we be happier in a room all by ourselves, or with a friend?

-miley

[copigeon]

To suggest that a snail "requires" company is sentimental. Humanising the creature with no true idea of its natural desires is pure guess work based on how mammals act?
I have seen no detrimental effect on the health or activity of a snail when kept in isolation.

However, if the reason you do not wish more than one is due to the fact it may lay eggs, there is the possibility that even a single snail can self fertilize, so even this isn't a safe option and should not be the deciding factor.
The only way to prevent being overrun is to be prepared to destroy hatchlings or eggs as and when they appear.

[brgwnth]

I've just got my first GALS and was wondering if he needs a friend. I think I can cope wih the eggs thing if I do get another but what size tank would be best to keep them in if I had two? (At the moment Isaac's in one approx 45cm x 25cm and 30cm high, and he's about 4inches long)

or you could get an iredalei as they have live babies ;D