How to Raise Snails as Pets

Identify the type of snail you want to raise. Snails can be hard to find at pet stores, but you can often find them in your garden. Snails are typically considered pests rather than decorative pets, which is why regulations have been set regarding the types of snails and where they can be sold. Importing snails from other countries into the U.S. is illegal, and certain states have laws prohibiting the transport of snails from other states.

• Native species of snails can often be found in gardens or areas with plenty of plants, and these are ideal spots to find your first snail.
• Common snails such as the African giant snail, Decollate snails, Ghanaian giant tiger snails, and margies snails are banned in the U.S.
• Snails can live between 3 to 15 years in captivity. Keep in mind that this is a long-term commitment, so if you’re not ready for such a long responsibility, consider choosing a native species that can be released back into the wild.
• Snails enjoy eating garden vegetables and plants, while invasive species can cause significant harm to local ecosystems if released.
• Remember that snails are not the same as slugs. If you prefer to raise slugs, you’ll need to research their specific care requirements to ensure they remain healthy and happy.

Consider keeping two or more snails together. Snails enjoy companionship, and your snail will be happier with a friend to interact with. It will also create a more delightful scene for you to watch.

• Caring for one or two snails isn’t much different, so you won’t need to spend much extra time or money to find a companion for your snail.
• Try to select snails of the same species to avoid the risk of disease or parasites being passed from one species to another.
• A group of snails will often gather together to sleep, indicating that they’ve formed bonds with each other.

Purchase a tank or plastic container to house your snail. Snails can live in various types of containers – it’s best to choose one that’s clear, well-ventilated, and spacious so your snail can roam and explore. Ensure the lid is secure or has a lock mechanism, as snails can lift a lid 10-50 times their body weight and might escape.

• If you’re unsure of the tank size needed, you can use this calculator to determine the appropriate size based on the species and number of snails you want to keep.
• A large pet transport box could make a suitable home for snails, as the transparent plastic sides and breathable lid provide ideal conditions.
• A fish tank or glass aquarium also works well for housing snails, although thick glass may be harder to clean and move.
• Clear plastic storage containers can be just as effective as fish tanks, but make sure to drill holes in the lid or along the top edges for proper air circulation.
• Clean the tank thoroughly before placing any objects inside. Wash it with hot water and mild soap, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Make sure the soap is fully rinsed off to prevent poisoning the snail.
• Avoid wooden or cardboard containers as they will rot over time. Snails may even chew through cardboard boxes.

Spread a 2.5-5 cm thick layer of substrate at the bottom of the container. Popular materials include peat moss, coconut coir, potting soil, and humus. Make sure to choose sterilized materials that are free from pesticides or fertilizers, as these could harm the snails.

• Avoid using sand, gravel, stones, shell fragments, or any other brittle materials that snails cannot burrow into.
• Peat moss, coconut coir, and potting soil are excellent choices for snails to dig in, and you can find them at pet shops or garden stores.
• Spray the substrate in the morning and evening to maintain moisture. Don’t spray too much water so that it forms puddles – just enough to make the soil cling to your hand when you touch it.
• Consider adding some sphagnum moss to help maintain moisture in the substrate.
• Be cautious with garden soil, as it might contain pests or pesticides that could harm your snails.

Decorate your snail’s home with objects they can climb or hide under. Avoid using hard materials like rocks, bricks, or ceramics – snails might fall from the tank’s edge, and if they hit a hard surface, their shells could crack, causing severe injury.

• Look for a plastic or PE plant pot. You can either place it flat in the tank or cut it in half to create a hiding space. Alternatively, you can invert the pot and cut a small hole for the snails to crawl into and hide inside.
• Search for organic materials that won’t easily decompose, like cork bark or dry branches. You can find these at pet stores in the reptile section to create obstacles for your snails to explore.
• A shallow water dish will provide the snails with a place to drink and play while also increasing humidity in the tank. Choose a low dish and ensure the water level isn’t too high to prevent the snails from drowning. You can try using a plastic dish designed for reptiles.

Monitor the temperature and humidity in the tank. The temperature should range between 18-30°C or room temperature. Check the soil daily to ensure it doesn’t become too dry.

• If your home gets too cold during the winter, consider purchasing a heating mat to raise the temperature and humidity for your snail tank. Attach the mat to the side of the tank, leaving about 1/3 of the area free so your snails can move to a cooler spot if it gets too warm.

Feed your snail fresh fruits and vegetables every few days. Snails love a variety of foods such as apples, mushrooms, tomatoes, bananas, strawberries, carrots, leafy greens, and many more. You can experiment with different foods to see what your snails prefer.

• Snails may also enjoy pet food like dog or cat kibble or turtle food, both dry and wet.
• Place a food dish in the tank for easy cleanup of uneaten, decaying food.
• Never feed your snail salt or foods containing salt. Salt can be lethal to them.

Provide calcium for your snail. Snail shells need calcium to stay strong and healthy. A good calcium source is cuttlebone, which is affordable and widely available at pet stores. Always have a clean piece of cuttlebone in your snail’s tank.

• Crushed eggshells or calcium supplement tablets are also easy-to-find sources of calcium for your snails.
• Snails can absorb calcium through their bodies by crawling over the cuttlebone and breaking it down with their foot.

Always wash food before feeding your snails. Any residual pesticides could poison and kill your snails. Never skip this step, even when feeding organic fruits and vegetables. Organic produce is often assumed to be pesticide-free, but that’s not always the case. Even if you’re sure there are no pesticides, it’s always a good idea to wash your snail food thoroughly to remove any harmful residues.

• Don’t forget to clean the calcium sources for your snails as well.

Learn how to properly handle your snail. If the snail is clinging to the side of the tank, spray water on both your hand and the snail. Slide one finger gently under the snail's head, between the snail and the tank wall. Use your other hand to support its body and gently slide your finger down along the snail’s body. Place the snail into the palm of your hand.

• Always wet your hands before handling the snail.
• If you can't slide your finger under the snail’s head, try using food to lure it a little further away from the tank's wall. The snail will stretch its head up, allowing you to slide your finger underneath.
• Wash your hands before and after handling the snail to avoid spreading diseases.
• Do not force the snail to move. If it is hard for the snail to leave the tank wall, wait for another time to pick it up.
• If the snail is too small, try enticing it to crawl onto a piece of food or a leaf and transfer it to your hand. Avoid picking up tiny snails by hand, as this can harm them.
• Be cautious and never lift the snail by its shell. If you accidentally pull the shell off, your snail will die.

Remove snail eggs from the substrate. Unless you’re interested in having dozens or even hundreds of baby snails, it’s best to remove the eggs before they hatch. Snail eggs are round, white or translucent, and may appear individually or in large clusters. They usually hatch in about two weeks, so check for eggs weekly.

• Dispose of snail eggs by placing them in a bag and freezing them. Make sure the eggs are completely frozen before discarding them.
• Never release snail eggs into the wild, especially those of non-native species.
• If you’re concerned about finding snail eggs, avoid layering too much substrate in the bottom of the tank. This will make it easier to spot and remove the eggs.

Clean the tank once a month. Move the snails to a temporary home and remove all items from the tank. Clean the tank thoroughly with hot water and a little mild soap. Rinse thoroughly to ensure all soap is removed, as any residue could be fatal to the snails.

• Wipe the tank walls weekly to prevent excessive dirt buildup between deep cleans.
• Remove any waste or decaying food that hasn’t been cleaned up.
• Clean the substrate or replace it with fresh material.
• If snail slime on the tank walls is difficult to clean, try using a little vinegar.

Give your snail a bath. Occasionally give your snail a bath (about once a month) to remove any harmful pests. Place the snail in a shallow dish of room-temperature water and gently pour or sprinkle water over its body. Never submerge the snail fully in water, as it could drown.

• Use your hands, a soft cloth, or a soft toothbrush to gently clean the snail’s shell. Never use anything abrasive.
• Only use water for cleaning the snail. Never use soap.

• Don't be alarmed if you notice that your snail's droppings are orange like carrots or green like lettuce. This is completely normal.
• Always wash your hands before handling the snail. Your hands contain salt from sweat, which can harm the snail.
• Garden snails live differently than pet snails, so never place a garden snail in your pet snail’s habitat.
• Keep your snail tank away from dogs, cats, and other larger pets.
• Avoid using tap water to spray or rinse your snail. Tap water contains chemicals that could be harmful or even deadly for snails. Use spring water, bottled water, or purified water instead.
• Provide a large tank or box for your snails, allowing them ample space to play, eat, and explore. Add sticks, soil, and plants to mimic a natural environment for the snails.
• Consult care guides from pet stores or ask them for advice on how to care for snails.
• Feed your snails a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
• Do not feed snails cucumbers. While they love cucumbers, they can become addicted to them and refuse to eat anything else.
• If you notice a white film on the snail’s mouth after lifting it, it's likely dried slime. To remove it, gently lift it with your fingernail and rinse your hands under water.
• Never let salt come into contact with snails. Salt can dehydrate and harm them.

• Never squeeze the snail’s shell as it may get crushed.
• Do not feed snails anything containing salt or salt solutions, as salt can kill them.
• Refrain from poking the soft part of the snail’s body to prevent stressing them out.