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Post by moonberry on Feb 4, 2021 17:39:14 GMT
I've noticed that sometimes a thin see-through piece of shell comes of my hatchlings (achatina fulica) I've been trying to supply them with calcium, so far I only have access to eggshells but I hope I can get some cuttlefish bone this week. Is the shell chipping like that normal? I Don't forcefully do it, but sometimes when moving them for enclosure cleanup I notice the shell piece and it has gotten me worried. And also, one of them is awfully small while the others are growing rapidly, what can I do to help that small one get bigger. I'm worried it isn't eating enough. I've fed them tomatos, carrots, apple, purple cabbage, lettuce and cucumber. They get a teaspoon of tiny dried shrimps thats dampened to make it easier to eat on a daily basis. (there are 6 of them)
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Post by pasi9 on Feb 4, 2021 18:27:44 GMT
I don't think it's normal. Are you sure it's a piece of their shell, and not dried slime?
Do you notice them eating the eggshell? Are you crushing it into powder before giving it?
Eggshells are ok, but cuttlefish bone is a much better calcium source so hopefully that will solve your problem when you get it. Food grade limestone powder also works well, if you have access to that.
The small one may just be a runt, there's not much you can do if so.
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Post by moonberry on Feb 4, 2021 20:01:40 GMT
I don't think it's normal. Are you sure it's a piece of their shell, and not dried slime? Do you notice them eating the eggshell? Are you crushing it into powder before giving it? Eggshells are ok, but cuttlefish bone is a much better calcium source so hopefully that will solve your problem when you get it. Food grade limestone powder also works well, if you have access to that. The small one may just be a runt, there's not much you can do if so. Thank you for the advice, I bake the shells and crush them before giving it to them, I was just worried I was breaking their shell and slowing down their growth, I'll try to be more careful and try to provide them a cuttlefish bone soon. |
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Post by NoodleTheRetic on Jul 4, 2021 15:10:42 GMT
I know this is a while after you made this thread, however just so you know eggshells are not enough calcium for snails, they will always need cuttlebone or another calcium source. You should also not feed them the shrimp or any other protein source every day- this is too much protein and it can cause problems for them, once or twice a week is enough. Baby snails having chipped shell is totally normal, while they’re still growing their shells are extremely thin and easy to break. You should only be worried if the shell is very broken. Hope this helps!
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