Post by snerdahmik on Nov 26, 2019 5:56:23 GMT
I've noticed that there isn't much information on decollate snails, and the bits and pieces that I can find are scattered across the internet. So I'll be posting everything I know about them on this thread.
Decollate Snails have long, cone shaped shells with a blunt apex. Their shells typically grow to between 30mm and 44mm in size, and they have a lifespan of about three years. Around adulthood, they will deliberately 'cut off' the ends of their shells by grinding it against the ground as they crawl along. Although they do have predatory behaviors, they have proven to be omnivores. They will actively hunt small snails and juvenile cornu aspersum. From my own experience, I've found they will not eat decaying leaves or bark. They prefer to eat earthworms and snail species, but will also happily live of off vegetables and fruit.
I don't know how to word this, but I've seen what happens to their shells! Somehow, the apex looks like a little "cap". This apex cap seemingly moves farther down inside the shell as new shell grows, and the excess bits become thin and brittle. They then fall off of the snail. You can see in the video below that not all of the shell is being filled. The very end near the apex is empty, and getting ready to fall off.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=obsDiCXOA7o
They will lay many clutches of eggs, up to 2,000 in a lifetime, seemingly in batches of 12-30. Eggs may be laid singly in small tunnels or in a group. The eggs are 2mm in diameter with hard shells. Rumina Decollata are hermaphrodites and capable of self-fertilization. They will lay eggs whether they have a partner or not, and will lay overwhelming amounts of eggs if they live in preferable conditions. Eggs may hatch in 15-35 days, depending on the warmth and moisture of their environment. Apparently, they lay empty 'dud' eggs sometimes, based on my own experiences and those of others who raised this species. The cause of the empty eggs is unknown.
This species likes to burrow, so it's hard to tell when they're preparing to lay a clutch of eggs. I usually find mine snuggling in the coco coir at the bottom of his tank. I'd say a good indicator would be if they burrow a lot more than usual. Mine usually makes 'practice burrows' before actually laying all of his eggs. Some of the eggs may be laid singly in a hole, but he usually lays them in clutches of about 10 in a cluster. When self-fertilized, it's likely that most of the eggs if not all will never hatch.
petsnails.proboards.com/post/16712
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qEavdOf8I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PESvaO6ucw
Decollate Snails have long, cone shaped shells with a blunt apex. Their shells typically grow to between 30mm and 44mm in size, and they have a lifespan of about three years. Around adulthood, they will deliberately 'cut off' the ends of their shells by grinding it against the ground as they crawl along. Although they do have predatory behaviors, they have proven to be omnivores. They will actively hunt small snails and juvenile cornu aspersum. From my own experience, I've found they will not eat decaying leaves or bark. They prefer to eat earthworms and snail species, but will also happily live of off vegetables and fruit.
I don't know how to word this, but I've seen what happens to their shells! Somehow, the apex looks like a little "cap". This apex cap seemingly moves farther down inside the shell as new shell grows, and the excess bits become thin and brittle. They then fall off of the snail. You can see in the video below that not all of the shell is being filled. The very end near the apex is empty, and getting ready to fall off.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=obsDiCXOA7o
They will lay many clutches of eggs, up to 2,000 in a lifetime, seemingly in batches of 12-30. Eggs may be laid singly in small tunnels or in a group. The eggs are 2mm in diameter with hard shells. Rumina Decollata are hermaphrodites and capable of self-fertilization. They will lay eggs whether they have a partner or not, and will lay overwhelming amounts of eggs if they live in preferable conditions. Eggs may hatch in 15-35 days, depending on the warmth and moisture of their environment. Apparently, they lay empty 'dud' eggs sometimes, based on my own experiences and those of others who raised this species. The cause of the empty eggs is unknown.
This species likes to burrow, so it's hard to tell when they're preparing to lay a clutch of eggs. I usually find mine snuggling in the coco coir at the bottom of his tank. I'd say a good indicator would be if they burrow a lot more than usual. Mine usually makes 'practice burrows' before actually laying all of his eggs. Some of the eggs may be laid singly in a hole, but he usually lays them in clutches of about 10 in a cluster. When self-fertilized, it's likely that most of the eggs if not all will never hatch.
petsnails.proboards.com/post/16712
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qEavdOf8I
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PESvaO6ucw
