Buzz
Pet snails can be excellent pets for individuals with limited time and space. They are easy to care for, affordable, and can spark interesting conversations. Once you have set up their habitat, maintaining it is straightforward, involving feeding, cleaning, and occasional misting.
Steps
Setting Up The Enclosure and Substrate
Selecting a Suitable Tank and Substrate When choosing a tank for your snails, opt for a glass or plastic enclosure with a minimum height of 18 cm (7.1 in) and length of 25 cm (9.8 in). Ensure the enclosure has a removable lid to maintain soil moisture and prevent escape. Place the tank in a shaded area to create a cool, dark environment, which is preferred by snails.
- Positioning the tank away from direct sunlight helps regulate temperature and prevents overheating, dehydration, and potential harm to your snails.
Prepare an 8 centimeter (3.1 inches) deep layer of substrate free from pesticides. Opt for compost from a reputable garden center, ensuring its pH level is suitable and free from harmful chemicals. Spread the substrate evenly at the base of the tank, about 8 centimeters deep, and moisten it using a water spray bottle.
- If introducing live plants, adjust the substrate depth accordingly, catering to their rooting and growth requirements.
- If opting for garden soil, refrigerate or freeze it overnight to eliminate any potential organisms.
Secure the tank with a ventilated lid. Ensure the lid possesses adequate ventilation holes to facilitate airflow. If not, carefully create perforations or carve a 'window' in the lid. Cover the holes with mosquito netting to prevent external insects from entering and to deter snail escape attempts.
- Some lids may already feature pre-cut holes; simply overlay them with netting.
Maintain soil moisture at a damp, not saturated, level. The soil should feel soft to the touch but not excessively wet. Use a spray bottle to moisten it regularly, ensuring proper humidity within the tank.
- If the tank becomes overly damp, consider adding additional ventilation holes to the lid.
- In case of dryness, increase the frequency of soil moistening to uphold suitable humidity levels.
- A larger hole is preferable for ventilation, covered with netting to prevent snail escape.
Enhancing with Decor, Flora, and Fauna
Acquire garden-themed decorations for your tank. Explore a wide array of items to beautify and emulate a natural habitat. Avoid objects that may alter soil pH, such as painted pots or water dishes, as snails do not require standing water and could potentially drown. Consider these decoration suggestions:
- Unpainted ceramics or pottery for snail housing
- A variety of rocks for hiding spots
- Bark and branches for climbing opportunities
- Small figurines for aesthetic appeal
- Broken plates or dishes for serving snail food
Include live plants to create a natural environment. You can place these plants in pots or plant them directly into the soil. Opt for low-light plants for indoor setups as they adapt well to snail habitats. Keep in mind that your snails may consume these plants, necessitating replacements over time. Consider adding these live plants:
- Ferns, which thrive in low-light conditions and are typically avoided by snails
- Ivy, a fast-growing plant usually untouched by snails
- Moss, providing a green bed and a snack for your snails
- Grasses, offering snackable green patches for your snails
Introduce beneficial organisms like pill bugs and earthworms. These organisms enhance the habitat's natural feel and aid in soil maintenance. Earthworms aerate the soil, pill bugs decompose waste, and woodlice break down organic matter, enriching the soil.
- While earthworms, pill bugs, and woodlice are beneficial, other small bugs from your garden or local area can also be added to the tank.
- By introducing other bugs, you reduce the risk of mold growth in the tank, as they act as natural barriers against fungi.
Ensuring Habitat Well-being
Regularly mist the tank to maintain humidity levels. Snails prefer a damp environment and may retreat into their shells if it becomes too dry. Water your plants as needed, avoiding over-soaking the soil. Aim to mist the habitat every few days, refraining if the soil remains sufficiently moist.
- Use a new spray bottle to avoid chemical contamination, ensuring the safety of your snails.
- Overwatering may drown decomposer species; therefore, maintain appropriate moisture levels.
Offer your snails a variety of vegetable and fruit scraps, excluding citrus fruits. Opt for cabbage, green lettuce, and leftover fruit and vegetable scraps as nutritious alternatives. Avoid citrus fruits, opting instead for non-citrus options like apples, bananas, and melons.
- Include ground cuttlefish bone in the habitat to provide calcium for your snails, available in the bird section of pet stores.
- Remove uneaten food after a few days and try different options, as snails may have specific preferences.
Dispose of your snails' waste daily using gloves and a small trowel. Some waste may remain undecomposed, especially without supporting organisms in the tank. Regularly remove this waste to prevent odor and maintain cleanliness. Wear gloves and use a trowel to avoid direct contact with the waste.
Clean the sides of the habitat with plain water weekly. Snail waste and slime may accumulate on the tank's sides as your snails move around. Use a damp cloth and water to wipe the sides weekly, avoiding chemical cleaners as they are harmful to snails.
Replace the substrate if it becomes excessively wet or moldy. Typically, substrate replacement is unnecessary as snails and other organisms regulate soil health. If mold appears or the soil is excessively wet, gently remove the snails and organisms, temporarily placing them in a container with soil while replacing the substrate.
- If other organisms maintain the soil, substrate replacement will be infrequent. Regularly check the soil's condition to ensure proper hydration and health.
Insights
The insights shared here are drawn from the experiences of Mytour readers like yourself. If you have valuable insights to contribute, please share them with Mytour below.
- Mist your soil 1-4 times daily. Test its moisture by squeezing a handful: no water indicates more misting, excessive water suggests less misting.
- Avoid using heating mats. Snails and slugs may bury themselves when overheated, risking death. Maintain a comfortable room temperature for their well-being.
- No need for an expensive terrarium. Opt for a cost-effective solution by utilizing a storage bin with drilled holes on top, offering excellent humidity retention.
Essentials
- 18 centimeter (7.1 inch) high and 25 centimeter (9.8 inch) long plastic or glass container
- Lid with ventilation holes
- Bug netting
- Spray bottle
- Substrate (from backyard or store-bought)
- Assorted decorations (ceramics, branches, rocks, etc.)
- Fern
- Ivy
- Moss
- Grass
- Earthworms (optional)
- Pill Bugs (optional)
- Woodlice (optional)
- Food scraps
- Gloves
- Secondary small plastic container
