Urgent Advice Needed Please re: Land Snail

[kate75]

Hi,

I really need some advice about my Giant African Land Snail please. I've had him for almost 7 years now and I know his behaviour and what happens when he hibernates (and how to revive him!). However, his behaviour has changed quite dramatically recently and I haven't got any idea what to do or what to expect.

3 weeks ago he stoppped eating his cuttlebone and fresh food - although I continue to put it in his tank everyday. He hasn't gone into hibernation and sometimes is out of his shell but not doing anything at all. 3 days ago he seemed to revive himself and he crawled onto the top of his tank where he then fell off onto the soil at the bottom of the tank. He stayed on the back of his shell and didn't attempt to right himself so I picked him up and put him the right way up. I also put his fresh food and cuttlebone around him but he ignored it all and went back to the corner of his tank where he has been ever since. His head is out of his shell but his eye stalks are not out. He isn't really moving but he's not dead yet as there are slight movements.

He has a heat pad and is in a darkish room. I also continue to lightly spray his tank once a day.

He has stopped responding to anything so I think he might be dying but it seems to be taking along time ... please does anyone know what might be wrong with him? Is this what happens when they die? How long does the 'dying' process take as I don't like to think he might be suffering and how will I know when he's actually dead?

Many thanks,
Kate

[crossless]

When was he's last hibernation? Sounds like my threesome when I got them. I have had my 3 hibernating snails and they been with me about month and last owner woke them 1week earlier so on my case my snails where like 5five weeks really sleepy and now there are coming around. They didn't eat much at all at first but now they are acting normal.

It took me long to get them wake I just lifted them in different container and put heat lamps on so that shell is upside down and foot it pointing to sealing so they warmed up that way better.

If you don't have any heating lamps you could maybe try take plastic bottle and put there some really hot water (so hot that bottle can handle it with out breaking) and next him and see does he start to warm him self. Snails moves really slowly if they feel to your hand really cold.

I was helpless too I just kept them in really even humidity and added little extra heating so I got them at last little bit eating. I think if he starts to stay daily at least few moment up and sliming it better than nothing. Then I just daily keep on spraying my sleepy snails till they come little bit out and eat something or at least I saw some movement.

If you are afraid about starvation and you have seen him drinking while bath him, you could start to add little honey to bath water so he would get at least some energy when he drinks while bathing. When I was worried about my snails when they didn't eat I used in bath water some honey like in 100ml water and half teaspoon honey so it's not too much for small animal. Some reptile keepers use honey in bath water if animals don't eat so I think same would work with snails too.

Hope your snail comes around soon.

[coyote]

Hi Kate, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your snail's problems. He may or may not be dying, based on your description of his behavior. I've seen snails like that pass away but I've also seen some revive. I think it's hard to say at this point with any certainty what might happen with your snail. IMO, Crossless's advice is worth trying. Good luck with him, and please let us know how he does.

[bloodhawk]

Have you checled for parasites as sometimes wen they get mites they retreat into there shells not sure y i give him a warm bath but make syre its not too deep or too hot id try the honey as it does boost energy and may keep him alive until he feels better id also try giving him something different to eat like dandilion leaves mine love them but make sure they are washed well it always gets them moving
hope that helps

[crossless]

Basil is good too. I have just big problem with how to get enough for 12big fulicas so it would last on food plate more than few moments.