|
Post by Liguus on Jun 10, 2019 23:33:29 GMT
They are relatively easy to keep like other garden snails, they just prefer more space and a lower population in their immediate area. Maybe 5 snails in a 20 gallon terrarium for optimal results. Also, Helix aspersa is an invalid name, it is now classified as Cornu aspersum. Being from different genera they cannot mate and do not form hybrids.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Jun 7, 2019 5:40:05 GMT
Looks about right for a juvenile Otala to me. When younger they have more pronounced brown stripes
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Jun 5, 2019 0:10:30 GMT
Cornu aspersum
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Jun 3, 2019 21:37:50 GMT
You could buy a peltier cooler and hook it up to the top of the terrarium. It basically functions like a mini air conditioner. You might want to get an additional humidifier at that point though.
Or just spray them more often and rely on evaporative cooling, and keep the soil layer thinner, or mix in more sand, so that it won't get soggy after being sprayed multiple times a day.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on May 12, 2019 21:21:14 GMT
Back in the day I would buy organic fruits and vegetables for my snails, but now I just buy anything and wash it well. Conventional produce doesn't really seem to affect them.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Apr 7, 2019 13:22:52 GMT
I think a picture of the terrarium would be super helpful. Depending on the soil type, the size of the spray bottle, air flow in the room, etc, this terrarium and the substrate could be at any moisture level from super dry to super wet. I don't believe they would be estivating in super wet conditions though, for some of my common snails I increased the humidity to "tropical levels" by plastic wrapping large sections of mesh and they were more active than ever.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Apr 5, 2019 1:00:33 GMT
If they are C. aspersum they should be active between 50*F-85*F. likely the bigger issue it the amount of water being sprayed onto them or the humidity. I recommend you just pull them off the glass to break the mucus seal snd sorry their skin to wake them up, as well as a solid terrarium misting.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 31, 2019 3:48:39 GMT
Looks like Cernuella, maybe Cernuella cisaplina.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 31, 2019 3:43:30 GMT
They are the same snail.
In binomial nomenclature you have the genus & species names listed, but also often the taxonomist who gave them their classification (name) and sometimes the year (to note when that name was first used). The full description is "Helix aspersa Müller 1774" , Muller being the name of the researcher who gave them this name in 1774. All living things have these designations, often times they are just not listed and only the genus and species names are used. i.e Canis Lupus Linnaeus 1758. I don't know why people started attaching the taxonomist name to this snail but it's lead to a fair amount of confusion. Also currently it's no longer in the Helix genus anyways so the correct name is Cornu aspersum.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 22, 2019 2:21:13 GMT
Ideally above 75% RH at all times
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 19, 2019 19:58:36 GMT
This is a normal process for snails when they get old. The protein-rich periostracum layer gets worn away exposing the calcium carbonate underneath. There is nothing you can do other than maybe oiling the shell to protect it a bit.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 19, 2019 19:56:59 GMT
It shouldn't... Are you keeping the food on a dish or just on the soil?
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 19, 2019 15:23:48 GMT
Where were they collected? Could possibly be Ventridens sp.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 19, 2019 15:21:58 GMT
Not really. Everything suitable for snails will get moldy, and you just have to change it out. Seeds will get moly also if they are roasted, along with oats/cereals since they have to be hoisted before feedings.
Snails of course will eat sprouts and living lettuce, etc, so if you put an LED grow light above your terrarium and start sporting things they will have some live plants available to eat.
Mold isn't really that dangerous to snails though. I don't swap my food out everyday since it would be highly impractical with my room full of terrariums and they eat moldy food just fine.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 19, 2019 15:18:03 GMT
Peat is acidic and not a good substrate. Coconut coir is much better. What is the humidity % like in the terrarium?
Also if they are not eating much try feeding them Mango, Mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. Those seem to be favorites of most carribean snails.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Mar 13, 2019 22:56:44 GMT
Neither. Old snail shells just start to wear down with time. You could try polishing it with oil as a preventative measure, but other than the appearance it shouldn't be detrimental. Feeding calcium won't help since this is old shell material already laid down.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 24, 2019 16:07:59 GMT
From the description I will assume this is a mystery aka unknown land snail. They shouldn't really be smelling bad.
What kind of soil did you use?
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 24, 2019 16:05:34 GMT
They aren't eggs. Eggs are kept in the reproductive tract located inside the shell until they are laid. Not sure what kind of disease this could be though, maybe the foot tissue's reaction to parasites.
|
|
|
Hello!
Feb 24, 2019 16:01:57 GMT
Post by Liguus on Feb 24, 2019 16:01:57 GMT
Well, the good news is that you have an easy species. A standard humid terrarium will be fine. I can't remember if they do well in room temp, but a small heat pad would be all you need to fix that if they're inactive from the cold. Feeding wise make sure they always have cuttlebone available along with a protein source (like dog biscuits or bloodworms) and a mix of vegetables circulating through their plates often.... what I mean by that is not that you have to give them a "salad" every time, just if you have been feeding i.e. sweet potatoes for a few days, swap it to mushrooms or apple, etc. Some people do feed a salad type mix every time but I don't think it's necessary.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 24, 2019 15:57:54 GMT
I was asked by someone in canada if I knew any canadian keepers wiling to sell snails to her and I thought to just go on this forum and ask, but now....
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 15, 2019 2:16:50 GMT
They are Mesodon, although which species: I don't know. Difficult to tell since all the species in the genus look relatively the same. Based on Arkansas they are either M. thyroidus or M. clausus. The care for them is basic, any standard guide for common garden snails (Cornu aspersum) will also work for Mesodon.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 9, 2019 14:53:09 GMT
It does look like the beginning of gut extrusion. All I can recommend is reading the guide about it on this site. I've never had to deal with gut extrusion in my snails so I'm not "up-to-date" on all the treatments.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 9, 2019 14:50:48 GMT
The puffy mantle is due to mating, and since you say they recently became sexually mature it's expected they would start mating soon after reaching the mark - C. aspersum breeds a lot. Sometimes their slime changes afterwards but it's nothing to worry about. I don't know exactly whats going on without seeing a picture of the slime/substance but I recall seeing things that match this description on some of my mating snails. I have a lot and usually they are left to their own devices (except for food) so my memory is a bit of since I've actually not witnessed mating in quite a while. The new generations just 'pop up' among my terrariums.
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 9, 2019 14:44:48 GMT
Looks like a great species. Congratulations on finding more snails!
|
|
|
Post by Liguus on Feb 6, 2019 0:14:21 GMT
They should do ok if you provide them other protein sources very regularly like dog biscuits, fish flakes, eggs, etc.
|
|