gluckuk
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
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Post by gluckuk on Aug 19, 2019 8:06:57 GMT
Im a bit puzzled about the state of my Helix Pomatia's shells. My favorite snail, Claude, grew his shell a little bit, but the new extension of shell looks patchy and unhealthy. Most of it is the same color as his mantle instead of the pretty chestnut color of the rest of his shell. Additionally, Gary, who was injured a few months back, is now acting totally healthy, but the hole in his shell has still not been replaced. Heres the puzzling part. I give my snails a calcium rich diet. All my Pomatia eat plenty of zuckers repta calcium strawberry and banana flavored powdered supplement every day. The Pomatia share their tank with Globe Snails, and my globe snails all have healthy, strong, vibrant shells. Im even raising some juvenile globe snails with perfectly healthy shells. So whats going on with my pomatia? Could this be something other than a calcium problem? imgur.com/a/HNzhxtE
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gluckuk
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
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Post by gluckuk on Aug 27, 2019 17:03:39 GMT
I am hoping to get some help with this.
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Post by tomsmith on Aug 27, 2019 17:13:34 GMT
Now that is odd. It might be because the other snails are much at the new, kind-of-soft calcium. You could try feeding them cuttlefish bone.
As for the other one, i.e. the one with the hole, I don't know what you should do really. Sorry.
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Post by Liguus on Aug 27, 2019 19:54:57 GMT
What kind of protein are they getting?
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gluckuk
Achatina achatina
Posts: 54
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Post by gluckuk on Aug 28, 2019 19:14:08 GMT
What kind of protein are they getting? They eat the repta calcium supplement, which does have some protein in it since it's meant to be a herbivorous lizard's full diet. I also feed them Lettuce. Is there more I should be doing to give them protein?
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Post by Liguus on Aug 28, 2019 20:53:26 GMT
The best calcium source is cuttlebone, since they can choose when to rasp it. The powdered calcium is usually not advised since they often will invest too much alongside their food. The shell is made of calcium but also an outer protein layer (periostracum) and the proper protein-calcium balance is a bit finicky so once it's thrown off one way or the other the shell growth starts to be negatively affected.
what % of calcium is in the powder? Similar to the calcium, protein should be provided in a balanced amount, maybe once a week or so. Usually people feed dog biscuits high in calcium, but shrimp pellets, bloodworms, fish flakes, etc. will all work as a protein supplement if they are willing to eat it.
Do they only eat lettuce? they should be getting at least a small variety of different vegetables and some fruit for optimal health.
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