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Post by Ally&Akasha on Sept 22, 2017 8:37:43 GMT
Hello from Akasha and Bandetto!
Ally and I joined yesterday because we are the proud 'parents' of a Monadenia Fidelis! As Ally mentioned in our intro post, we decided to name our beautiful snail Bandetto and refer to him as a him, regardless of him being genderless. Technically, what really made us join is that Bandetto successfully hatched around 40 little baby Monadenia! I was so surprised to discover them because previous all Bandetto's eggs did not hatch from what I assumed was lack of insemination. However these little snails are both happy and healthy! I found them when I was doing Bandetto's routine moss/bedding replacement when I noticed these little brown/black dots that I hadn't seen before. I was freaking out! I knew Bandetto had laid two new clutches of eggs, one a few months before the other and knew that something different happened to the youngest batch of eggs. It honestly looked like something had eaten them! Honestly, I've never seen hatched eggs of any snail before so it's probably normal for a hatched egg to look 'splatted' for lack of a better term. Anyways, we have babies!!
I spent more than an hour gathering up all the snail babies I could find, and in the meantime totally failed to take an official count because I was so excited to have found them in the first place. I ended up very carefully searching the moss again and again and again in order to make sure I didn't miss any! The shells were already strong enough that I know for sure none were harmed as I transferred them to their new tank, and as soon as I misted them all with water they sprang right up and explored their new home! It was so cute! Ally and I are first time Monadenia baby caretakers, so if anyone has any advice, we'd love to hear it. What we do know is to keep the environment moist, and if water is given to them make sure it is a very thin layer so that there will be no drowning babies. I found out that they all really love the finely ground up carrot and egg shell mixture I gave to them because I find them on the bowl eating often and carrot poo throughout the tank. They also seem to love the moss bedding/flooring of their home. I've only been aware of their existence for a little more than 2 days now, so haven't had much time to learn much about them.
So, here's Bandetto's back story. Me and Ally were living in Northern Cali, in the Redwoods, and were owner/operators of our own local business. When leaving a clients home one day we found Bandetto just crawling across the hood of our car! So technically Bandetto found us! What's even more amazing is, one of the first things we noticed about this guy is it was clear he is a survivor! We know that Monadenia have shells that wear as they age but he was different. In fact, it was very obvious that at some point in his mid-current years (before we found him) he had fallen out of a tree or been crushed slightly by something. His shell looks and feels as tho he had some pretty intense healing to do, but he survived, regardless! I also had been talking about 'adopting' a Pacific Sideband for awhile and when Bandetto showed up on our car, it felt meant to be. This all happened mid-April 2016. Here we are over a year later and Bandetto successfully hatched babies! Is it possible for Monadenia Fidelis to hold onto sperm long enough to lay serveral clutches of eggs and hatch babies after more than a year of not being exposed to other snails? From all of my research, Monadenia is a love dart snail, but this definitely seems like Bandetto possibly impregnated himself!
Either way, we are guessing these babies hatched around July, possibly as late as August. They are moving around quiet happily, and readily munching on their carrot mixture. Many of them vary slightly in size, color, shell roughness, and personality. I decided to keep Bandetto separate from the babies because I wasn't for sure if Monadenia was carnivorous, and I didn't want to lose any precious babies. If anyone knows for sure if they are or aren't I'd really love to know. I originally bought the tank in the pictures below for Bandetto, knowing he'd love to have the larger tank with more room to move around but the babies ended up in it. If they could share then that'd make it were I didn't have to purchase a second new tank.
We moved to Virginia, so no longer have access to the natural habitat of the Redwoods so everything in their tanks is currently store bought. Unfortunately, nothing here can be brought in from the outside because it is an area were parasites are high in number. In fact, basically all the snails I have found here have clear signs of said parasites, so we stick to store bought instead.
I decided to refer to them all as Bandetto and the Infidelis! xD So, here is some pictures.
Bandetto is actually obsessed with carrots. In most situations, he will completely ignore other foods if carrots are present! He has gorgeous red skin which only seems to occur in the Redwood areas. It is also bumpy and only his 'belly' is slimy, even when wet. He also wouldn't let go of his carrot... In the picture above you can see a baby on the glass opposite of Bandeto! <3 This is a picture of the babies right after I transferred them to the new tank!
And that about wraps it up! We'd love to hear from you all. This is our first and only snail before the babies. And we look forward to updating everyone as the babies grow. Eventually we'll definitely be looking into re-homing most of them! ^-^ Akasha and Bandetto, signing out! <3
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Sept 22, 2017 11:46:47 GMT
Bandetto actually laid between 4-6 clutches of eggs before this one.
Ally
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Post by astana on Sept 22, 2017 23:53:16 GMT
Wow, this is amazing! I had no idea that Monadenia could self-ferilize - I've read rumors of it but never seen or heard of it firsthand. Of course, snails can carry fertlization for months, but more than a year seems very unlikely. Bandetto is gorgeous, too! He seems younger than Mona, or at least, Mona has had more shell erosion. What a pretty snail!
Because you said that Bandetto loves carrots, I tried giving Mona some slices .. and she loved them, haha. Hopefully this won't turn her into a super picky snail!
As for rehoming your baby snails... are you planning on releasing them into the wild, or selling/giving them away?
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Sept 23, 2017 10:30:25 GMT
As for rehoming your baby snails... are you planning on releasing them into the wild, or selling/giving them away? Bandetto went on quit the crazy snail road trip last year through SoCal, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Colorado and then back to Virginia where we currently live. By the time we are ready to rehome the babies we will probably be living in Pennsylvania. The point being, no releasing into the wild. Selling or trading then is the plan.
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Post by astana on Sept 24, 2017 22:57:38 GMT
Ah, I see. I'd love to help out when the time for rehoming them comes! Also, Monadenia are for sure not carnivourous. I kept Mona with a couple Cepaea nemoralis and their babies and nothing ever happened. They are very peaceful snails.
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Cashell
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,124
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Post by Cashell on Sept 25, 2017 14:02:24 GMT
Great photos!
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~|Smol Bean|~
Archachatina marginata
Im a sheep. You can't deny that!
Posts: 17
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Post by ~|Smol Bean|~ on Oct 15, 2017 15:13:47 GMT
I would also love helping out to re-home your snails! I have been wanting a pacific sideband for a while. I find they are beautiful snails! Unfortunetly, I dont live in an area where they roam.. so I have to buy/trade one! Anyways, I hope your snails are happy, and just talk to me if you need to re-home them (P.S I dont have enough room for 35 snails ; - ; , I'd be willing to take around 3 at most since im still kind of new to snails) And also, speak to others! I bet other people would love to help re-home them
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Post by robinwhiskers on Oct 15, 2017 19:33:15 GMT
Bandetto is GORGEOUS and you sound like an amazing snail owner! When you plan on giving those beautiful red babies away...I'll be right here!
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Oct 17, 2017 6:01:39 GMT
Thanks everyone!
We'll probably be looking to re-home them around the time they reach the size of a nickle or quarter. I'll be sure to let everyone know when that is. They haven't even reached the size of a dime yet.
Does anyone happen to know what temperature Monadenia Fidelis is happiest at? Honestly, in our travels, Bandetto has been through quite the different extremes.
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Post by robinwhiskers on Oct 17, 2017 13:12:48 GMT
I'm not sure, but I'm just curious as I'm always looking for tips, how you do you travel with Bandetto?
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Oct 18, 2017 7:45:00 GMT
Well, honestly, he was living in a small plastic tank with a lid that allows a lot of air in, and snaps shut. We just kept him moist and fed and allowed him to hibernate when he wanted. In cooler weather he would come out and I'd interact with him, but otherwise, just making sure he wasn't getting too hot, or too cool. Monadenia Fidelis is accustomed to all weather, especially Bandetto who comes from north-western Cali, basically near the coast. So lots of weather including snow. I don't believe many snails would be able to travel the same way as some have a much more sensitive temperature range. Basically, if you are planning to travel with your snail(s) then I'd suggest monitoring temperature for species that need that, keep them moist and the humidity at the snail's desired amount, and keep fresh foods available. Allow them to sleep if they prefer. Granted, Bandetto our first snail and that was the only time we traveled with him.
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Post by footloose on Oct 20, 2017 2:43:09 GMT
An enchanting looking snail! Aww, the babies. Baby snails are among the cutest of all baby animals,IMO.
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Post by robinwhiskers on Oct 20, 2017 3:05:03 GMT
An enchanting looking snail! Aww, the babies. Baby snails are among the cutest of all baby animals,IMO. I've had 4 clutches of eggs this year and I've kept a baby from each clutch (although in the first clutch only one egg hatched) so I know they're adorable and it's fun to watch them grow...but they are NOT cute when they are crawling all over your adult snails, your tank, and when they refuse to be coaxed off a piece of lettuce!
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Oct 20, 2017 10:53:14 GMT
I think that's all in the nature of raising baby snails! ^-^ My babies tend to stay toward the bottom of the tank around the moss and only go onto the glass when water is misted for their drinking. My problem is, Monadenia Fidelis takes an extra long time to grow in size and I need to replace the moss bedding as it is starting to mold, but that means disturbing the little ones and trying to find all of them through the moss again. Would it be better to just leave it? I do know Monadenia are mold eating snails but don't want to harm them either, if that is possible?
Any suggestions?
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Post by finch on Oct 20, 2017 12:34:04 GMT
Hmm... I'd say you should take the moss out and put coco fiber or dirt instead. That way you don't have to search quite as hard for babies and you can just scoop out any mold.
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Post by astana on Oct 22, 2017 18:52:38 GMT
For temperature, as Monadenia are found in the Pacific Northwest where all-around cold temperatures are pretty normal, I would worry more about extreme heat than extreme cold.
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Oct 25, 2017 18:22:01 GMT
Ok, so I removed the moss and have some wood chipping down in the tank until I can located some coco fiber. While I was removing the moss I took a count of how many babies and I got 52! Holy cow!!! XD I know snails lay lots of eggs but with this being my first I'm both excited and a little overwhelmed! Lolz
Thanks for the insight! I do know they prefer cooler temperatures! In fact, that is when Monadenia Fidelis is most active.
I have another question, which is do I need to be supplying the babies with anything else? They have a 10gal tank, artificial plants, cuttlefish bone, fresh foods like bell pepper, lettuce, apple, etc, and will have coco fiber soon enough. They had a wooden cave-like structure but it too molded so I removed it. They are still tiny so I think the plant will be enough to "hide" in but should I buy something else?
Thanks everyone!
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Post by astana on Nov 9, 2017 23:49:04 GMT
That should be fine! It sounds like they're living happily ^^
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Post by tilliesnail on Nov 10, 2017 0:36:47 GMT
They are so cute <3
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iamsooz
Achatina fulica
I reeeeeeeeeally like snails.
Posts: 0
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Post by iamsooz on Nov 16, 2017 4:03:06 GMT
Such gorgeous snails, love your enclosure too!
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Post by Ally&Akasha on Feb 10, 2018 8:00:55 GMT
Hello everyone! ^-^ The babies have been growing nicely! They'll be ready for new homes come Spring. I'll be keeping 4 of the 52 babies. I'm definitely interested in snail trades. I'll have more info for everyone when the time comes. Also.... Bandetto laid a small batch of eggs which are looking very healthy! I can't believe it! No other snail contact for almost 2 years now!
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MelanieChaos
Archachatina marginata
OH. MY. GASTROPOD.
Posts: 23
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Post by MelanieChaos on Feb 13, 2018 21:56:19 GMT
Hello everyone! ^-^ The babies have been growing nicely! They'll be ready for new homes come Spring. I'll be keeping 4 of the 52 babies. I'm definitely interested in snail trades. I'll have more info for everyone when the time comes. Also.... Bandetto laid a small batch of eggs which are looking very healthy! I can't believe it! No other snail contact for almost 2 years now! Congratulations on being a snail Grammy! My Helix Aspersa had a second batch of eggs just hatch, we have around 70 babies now! I'm looking to rehome/trade some around Spring time as well (I'm in MA) so keep me updated!
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Post by Snailzilla on Mar 11, 2018 6:17:20 GMT
Hello everyone! ^-^ The babies have been growing nicely! They'll be ready for new homes come Spring. I'll be keeping 4 of the 52 babies. I'm definitely interested in snail trades. I'll have more info for everyone when the time comes. Also.... Bandetto laid a small batch of eggs which are looking very healthy! I can't believe it! No other snail contact for almost 2 years now! Congratulations on being a snail Grammy! My Helix Aspersa had a second batch of eggs just hatch, we have around 70 babies now! I'm looking to rehome/trade some around Spring time as well (I'm in MA) so keep me updated! Hi, I'm looking for a Helix Aspersa in MA, perhaps we could work something out?
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Post by natalia_atxa on Jul 2, 2018 18:56:14 GMT
Gorgeous snail, and the little baby is super cute Seems like he's almost red in the picture
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Post by witchpig on Aug 6, 2018 14:59:57 GMT
By the way, it is illegal to carry snails over state borders, so just keep that in mind when travelling. As many US residents know, it's incredibly difficult to obtain land snails in the United States. There is a USDA regulation which makes it illegal to transport snails across state lines without the proper permit. www.tinyurl.com/USsnails
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