Post by Correne on May 30, 2005 8:09:20 GMT
Hi everyone,
Have been trying to put together a fact/care sheet. This will then be given to pet shops/suppliers to give to new owners.
My objectives with the care sheet have been:
1. to supply enough basic information that a new carer will be able to keep happy and healthy snails
2. to supply Paul’s website url so that carers can access more detailed and thorough information
3. to try and keep everything on one side of A4 as this will reduce printing costs
4. to keep the information simple and basic so as not to appear as too much type [someone would just chuck it in the bin and then we have wasted our time and snails could suffer]
5. to write in a simple fashion so that children can understand it
Please read my care sheet and post any comments whatsoever – we need this to be perfect before we start giving it out, and post it to web sites. Any suggestions, criticisms etc are wanted so don’t be shy!!!!
The following is what I’ve come up with. Fredrik has already made some great suggestions. The actual care sheet has fancier text in places and graphics etc, but for now it’s the facts I want to get accurate.
Thank you, everyone
Correne
Giant African Land Snails (GALS) are wonderful pets to care for. They are great for children, as they do not need as much attention as, for example, a hamster or a Guinea pig. Your snails will not survive without basic care. This care sheet has been produced to give you the basic information required to keep your snails happy and healthy. Full and detailed information is available at our website below.
Species
There are lots of species of Giant African Land Snails but the most common in the UK is Lissachatina fulica (previously/also known as Achatina fulica). Generally most GALS prefer similar conditions.
Warning!
GALS are prolific breeders. When your GALS reaches adulthood, which can be from 9 months onwards, he/she can lay eggs if he/she has mated with another snail. GALS are hermaphrodites. This means that they have both male and female sexual organs. They cannot fertilize themselves. After mating the GALS will lay eggs, sometimes several batches of eggs over a substantial period of time from one mating. Check your tank regularly for eggs. When you find eggs you are advised to place them in boiling water for a few minutes or perhaps feed the eggs to reptiles if you have any. You should not simply throw away unwanted eggs. If you decide you would like to have a few baby snails then you could leave a few eggs in the tank.
Equipment Needed
· Your snails will need a home. An escape-proof tank with a removable, textured lid is best. Air supply is important so ensure there is plenty of ventilation.
· Snails like to dig deep so you must line the base of the tank with a suitable substrate (coconut shell fibre/compost/peat/sphagnum moss/vermiculite) usually about as deep as the largest snail’s shell.
· The GALS need a source of calcium, usually a piece of cuttlefish.
· GALS like to hide so supply them with a piece of cork bark or a plastic over-turned plant pot. These hideaways must not be hard as if the snail falls from the lid of the tank he/she could damage their shell.
· Your GALS like to be in a humid atmosphere - you will need a spray-misting bottle to keep their tank lining moist. Finely spray the substrate and the tank walls with fresh, clean water.
· Water may be provided. Ensure the water container is not too hard as, again, if your snail falls he could damage his shell. Also, your snails could drown, so keep the water level low, and try to obtain a graduated depth of container so your snail can get out of the water easily.
· Finally, you must gently clean your snails and their tank. You will need a very soft toothbrush for the shells, and a soft sponge for cleaning the tank. Snails love to have a small amount of sesame oil rubbed into their shells (very gently) after their bath.
Feeding
Your snails will need to be fed fresh food daily. Many people assume, incorrectly, that all a snail will eat is cucumber. Cucumber is a good source of water but has very little nutritional value. Your snail will be happy with a varied diet of vegetables and fruit. Common Plantain and dandelion leaves are their favourite, a huge source of calcium and free! Always thoroughly wash the food before feeding to your snails to remove any residual chemicals.
Handling
Always wash your hands and rinse thoroughly before handling your snails. Never pull your snail from the tank if he/she is stuck to it. Gently slide your wet fingers below him/her.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES WHATSOEVER AND/OR FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR WEBSITE. FOR THE LOVE OF SNAILS WE WANT TO HELP YOU.
www.petsnails.co.uk
Have been trying to put together a fact/care sheet. This will then be given to pet shops/suppliers to give to new owners.
My objectives with the care sheet have been:
1. to supply enough basic information that a new carer will be able to keep happy and healthy snails
2. to supply Paul’s website url so that carers can access more detailed and thorough information
3. to try and keep everything on one side of A4 as this will reduce printing costs
4. to keep the information simple and basic so as not to appear as too much type [someone would just chuck it in the bin and then we have wasted our time and snails could suffer]
5. to write in a simple fashion so that children can understand it
Please read my care sheet and post any comments whatsoever – we need this to be perfect before we start giving it out, and post it to web sites. Any suggestions, criticisms etc are wanted so don’t be shy!!!!
The following is what I’ve come up with. Fredrik has already made some great suggestions. The actual care sheet has fancier text in places and graphics etc, but for now it’s the facts I want to get accurate.
Thank you, everyone
Correne
Giant African Land Snails (GALS) are wonderful pets to care for. They are great for children, as they do not need as much attention as, for example, a hamster or a Guinea pig. Your snails will not survive without basic care. This care sheet has been produced to give you the basic information required to keep your snails happy and healthy. Full and detailed information is available at our website below.
Species
There are lots of species of Giant African Land Snails but the most common in the UK is Lissachatina fulica (previously/also known as Achatina fulica). Generally most GALS prefer similar conditions.
Warning!
GALS are prolific breeders. When your GALS reaches adulthood, which can be from 9 months onwards, he/she can lay eggs if he/she has mated with another snail. GALS are hermaphrodites. This means that they have both male and female sexual organs. They cannot fertilize themselves. After mating the GALS will lay eggs, sometimes several batches of eggs over a substantial period of time from one mating. Check your tank regularly for eggs. When you find eggs you are advised to place them in boiling water for a few minutes or perhaps feed the eggs to reptiles if you have any. You should not simply throw away unwanted eggs. If you decide you would like to have a few baby snails then you could leave a few eggs in the tank.
Equipment Needed
· Your snails will need a home. An escape-proof tank with a removable, textured lid is best. Air supply is important so ensure there is plenty of ventilation.
· Snails like to dig deep so you must line the base of the tank with a suitable substrate (coconut shell fibre/compost/peat/sphagnum moss/vermiculite) usually about as deep as the largest snail’s shell.
· The GALS need a source of calcium, usually a piece of cuttlefish.
· GALS like to hide so supply them with a piece of cork bark or a plastic over-turned plant pot. These hideaways must not be hard as if the snail falls from the lid of the tank he/she could damage their shell.
· Your GALS like to be in a humid atmosphere - you will need a spray-misting bottle to keep their tank lining moist. Finely spray the substrate and the tank walls with fresh, clean water.
· Water may be provided. Ensure the water container is not too hard as, again, if your snail falls he could damage his shell. Also, your snails could drown, so keep the water level low, and try to obtain a graduated depth of container so your snail can get out of the water easily.
· Finally, you must gently clean your snails and their tank. You will need a very soft toothbrush for the shells, and a soft sponge for cleaning the tank. Snails love to have a small amount of sesame oil rubbed into their shells (very gently) after their bath.
Feeding
Your snails will need to be fed fresh food daily. Many people assume, incorrectly, that all a snail will eat is cucumber. Cucumber is a good source of water but has very little nutritional value. Your snail will be happy with a varied diet of vegetables and fruit. Common Plantain and dandelion leaves are their favourite, a huge source of calcium and free! Always thoroughly wash the food before feeding to your snails to remove any residual chemicals.
Handling
Always wash your hands and rinse thoroughly before handling your snails. Never pull your snail from the tank if he/she is stuck to it. Gently slide your wet fingers below him/her.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES WHATSOEVER AND/OR FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR WEBSITE. FOR THE LOVE OF SNAILS WE WANT TO HELP YOU.
www.petsnails.co.uk