Canadian snails?

[ness]

I was wondering if anyone knows the answer to the following: Is it leagal to keep Giant African Land Snails in Canada? If so which varieties?
Sorry if I've placed this thread in the wrong section, I'm unsure of where to put it.
Thanks

[Kevin]

I think all species in the Achatinidae family (and I suspect Strophocheilidae as well) are illegal in Canada like they are in the US, or illegal in parts of Canada, and legal in some of the colder area's, It would be a good idea contacting the local council of where ever your interested in knowing their legality, they should know whether they are ok to keep or not.

[ness]

Thanks. I'm struggling to find the information out. USA scare-mongers state GLA's can spread parasites that cause meningitis, but these only occur in wild ones, and even then it's rare. It's illegal in the USA yes. Also they eat crops of cause.
As for Canada there is someone who is Canadian who has some Margies as pets, however, I'm not sure how legal this is. I hope it's legal though, becuase there's a small chance that we may emmigrate over there. I guess I'm jumping-the-gun a bit. I thought I'd try to look it up but it's not easy. Canada gets so cold though that the GLAs would surely not survive the harsh winters, therefore they would not spread out of control.
Thanks again

[Kevin]

According to this page, all species of Achatina snails are prohibited in Canada, except for tiger snails (Achatina achatina) which requires a permit.

www.manandmollusc.net/Odessa/snail-laws.html

With the spreading of meningitus, it only can spread by eating undercooked wild snails, their illegal in the US because of the risk of them becomming an invasive species there if any are released, I dont know why they are restricted in Canada though?

[Arno]

Not too long ago,we had the same kind of question.The thread can be found here:
petsnails.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&n=1&thread=415&page=1

[ness]

Thank you very much guys. You both took alot of trouble for me! Thanks. You are great!

[Paul]

ness said:

...USA scare-mongers state GLA's can spread parasites that cause meningitis, but these only occur in wild ones, and even then it's rare...

You're right that the problem is over-hyped but I thought it worth mentioning that it isn't as rare as you think.

One study showed that 85% of WC Archachatina marginata had the Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat-lung) worm. The worms in the wrong host head for the brain and in humans can cause eosinophilic meningitis. It is treatable though. The rule is that you catch it from eating improperly cooked snail flesh, but I recall reading of one case of infection where snails weren't eaten. However, it would have likely occurred by indirect consumption, probably from contaminated hands or something. The point is, that in Africa and Asia where the problem is more serious, the number of cases is probably proportional to the population of snail eaters, which is much rarer outside of those continents. I was going to suggest poor health & safety in 3rd World countries (or whatever the currently politically correct term is) may also have something to do with these figures but judging from the fact you can go and get uncooked WC snails from African markets in Eruope, who knows if that has an effect?

I've been told it can't pass from snail to snail but since 15% of worms can be found in the mucus on the body, I can't see why contact couldn't transfer them. I've still yet to find out how long the infective stage lasts so we can figure out a reasonable quarantine time. For such a problematic parasite, you'd think it would be easy to find out.

You're right that CB snails shouldn't have them, but be aware that some contact with WC ones "could" infect them. This is still only really a risk for a period of time initially.

My advice to anyone is not to worry about it, simply be very hygienic around your snails, particularly when you receive new ones. Again, I've never heard of a case in Europe, but as snail-keeping is becoming more popular it's worth mentioning what we know so far, in the hope we never hear of one.