Difference in species???

[natrat84]

Hi again
Just sat here browsing and wondered, what is the difference between... Achatina, Lissachatina and Archachatina ? I can see there are different 'colours' in the 3 groups but just wondered what the main difference between the 3 were.

Also, what are the tiger snails? I think they are fantastic but cant see one called tiger so I assume they have a proper name?

Help I'm addicted ;D
Nat

[anjieburdett]

Hi Nat,

Achatina Achatina are more commonly known as the Giant Ghana Tiger Snail. These snails grow to monstrous sizes hehe. The biggest snail in the world they can grow to a maximum of 30cm, but thats rare in captivity. They are really beautiful snails and very sort after and hard to come by (being the preferred food snail of the African people YUKKKKKK!).

Here is a picture of my tiger snail Garggy.



Hope the link works.

Anjie,x.

Just added the img tags to make the piccy work - paul

[Paul]

The difference between the 3 types you mention are that they are all genera of snails. They are all Achatininae snails. Archachatina is a more primitive genus. They are characterised by more blunt, thicker shells and they lay less eggs. They also have a smaller distribution in Africa.

Lissachatina and Achatina are more modern snails, pointed shells and they lay loads of eggs. They are found all over Africa. Lissachatina used to be a sub-genera of Achatina but it was decided that these snails are anatomically different so they move Lissachatina from sub-genus to genus.

For a simpler example of how Achatina and Archachatina differ I made this page:

www.petsnails.co.uk/index.php?action=species&document=arch_and_a_id#start

paul