do i need to get at least one snail?

[snailysnail]

hello there, i was wanting to get an achatina fulica but, as i dont really want lots of baby snails, i was only going to get a single one....is this a bad idea and do i really need to get a pair? i dont know how often i will be able to check for eggs.

anna x

[cleo]

Hi,

it would be really better to keep a group of snails than a single one, especially fulicas love to be in a group! It would be perfect if you had time to look for eggs in the soil once a week, then it shouldn't be a problem to keep a group of fulicas.

[Rachel]

try using moss for substrate as they are less likely to lay in that. good luck

[spook]

I agree,it is better to get more than one snail,so they have company and can interact with each other!
As an option you could get a fulica and then a different species,so they can live together but won't mate........but on the other hand checking for eggs once a week will take a matter of minutes and then they can be easily disposed of when found,it really shouldn't take that much time up looking for the eggs.

[vikingsnail]

When I got my fulica I just got the one (he was my first snail, and so I wanted to get to grips with it first before risking babies!) but now I've got an iredalei in with my fulica - there's no chance of eggs and my fulica is alot more active and seems happier now he has a friend

[kirgem2007]

I guess if its your first snail it might be best just to have the one to start of with so you get the hang of it.But they do like company,it makes them more active.If your worried about having to look for eggs, then get a snail of another species that can cope with the same sort of conditions as your fulica. But if you do get another fulica and you dont want babies but they lay eggs all you have to do is take them out and pop them in the freezer for 48 hours before disposing of them

[whodoesntlovesnails]

so, now do u have more than one snails, and have u found any eggs?

[donut]

thesnailsanctuary said:

try using moss for substrate as they are less likely to lay in that. good luck

HAHA i just had to "dispose" of a lot of new eggs as 2 days AFTER i changed to moss they laid MORE EGGS i still have a tank one 1 week old hatchlings so i had no choice - i feel SO bad

just got some Coir in the post so gonna do a 1/2 1/2 moss Coir bedding

sorry hope you have LOTS of joy with your Snails

[Rachel]

oh dear, i guess you have very ahem, healthy snails. At least you have homes for most.

[donut]

hehehe YEP for DEF lol

[snailysnail]

so, now do u have more than one snails, and have u found any eggs?

i got two snails in the end, but they are only babies about 3 months old... they don't start laying until they are about nine months, or do they?
anna x

[cleo]

Achatina fulica become adult very fast, my advice would be: At latest when they are 6 months you have to look for eggs, maybe earlier!! You will see them burry their head into the soil to lay the eggs, then you can be sure, that there's something going on

[Rachel]

its when they start sneaking out together at 2am you should be worried, oh no thats teenagers, lol. Watch for lots of the snail version of kissing and them wrapping themselves around each other.