|
Post by lilmissvix on Jun 26, 2009 18:26:03 GMT
i was looking around on various sites, on how to care for giant african land snails about different substrate and came across something called leaf litter, i have never herd of this before and wondered if any of you guy have? and if it is any good?
|
|
|
Post by AlienSnail on Jun 26, 2009 18:42:19 GMT
Leaf litter is basically old leaves that have fallen to the ground outside.....
If you collect them then a wash in hot water (hot enough to kill pests) may be a good idea.
|
|
|
Post by lilmissvix on Jun 26, 2009 18:45:39 GMT
any leaves does it matter what type?
|
|
|
Post by crossless on Jul 1, 2009 22:18:33 GMT
Theres so many type of leaves which r safe to snails. I started to be very interested of this so I think I will try it soon. I think I buy somekind of box and let leaves rotten themselves and use them. Sounds ideal for my wc snails. I don't now use them any (just moist towel) soil 'cos it would be needed changed too often, 'cos they poop alot. And good layer of leaves for those will be very good litter. =)
|
|
|
Post by feebix on Jul 1, 2009 22:52:09 GMT
You could always do what I do, use fake leaves from the pet shop, guarateed safe....
|
|
|
Post by crossless on Jul 2, 2009 6:33:49 GMT
My life is so "boring" and settled down now days. So I could make little "test batch" it for my snails, just because on curious person and in our countryside there's plenty of trees and plants to stole few leaves from them(and also very boring so I'm always picking up food for my snails). I was moment ago out with my dog and I picked up few different leaves and put them in the jar to see how quicly they may rot. Mostly I picked up leaves which r snail safe, but they don't like to eat and I picked just a little bit of leaves what they like to. So when I try it first time, they won't start to eat leaf litter instead food. And edible leaves that's why very little in cause they need to eat it for better digestion.
|
|
|
Post by AlienSnail on Jul 2, 2009 6:45:41 GMT
Not boring. I think this will make an interesting experiment. It's a good idea
|
|
|
Post by crossless on Jul 2, 2009 6:51:38 GMT
Yes it will. I think it may succeed, I once had wc slugs leaves as soil and it's seemed very good and didn't stink at all or much..Now I will try it first to my Arianta arbustorums they seems to be poop machines really -.-
|
|
|
Post by welsh on Jul 2, 2009 8:12:06 GMT
I bet my tigers would enjoy a few leaves, I did pick up some last autum it used concker leaves they had naturaly dryed out, and went all soggy and horrible in the heat but the snails loved them even had a nibble.
|
|
|
Post by feebix on Jul 2, 2009 9:25:28 GMT
The leaf littter I`ve made in my snake tanks has been great, it looks really natural and they love the extra cover, all over the tank so they can be hidden anywhere they want, they love it! Same for snails I recon !
|
|
|
Post by crossless on Jul 4, 2009 5:42:21 GMT
That's good I told my dad about this leaf litter he was very interested (he is always interested everything which are cheap or free..) of and will let me do leaf compost heap in our log cabin somewhere in the yard. I know it's gonna take while to get leaves rotting, but it don't matter. I think built it little bit of the ground, walls in it and some kind of lid so any big animals won't do nests in there.. It wouldn't be so nice suprise at home, when u take some of the litter from cellar and some animal wakes up from huge garbage bag. I would love to do this in city, but I think neighbours maybe not like if I put compost heap on my balcony.
|
|
ade
egg
Posts: 1
|
Post by ade on Jul 4, 2009 19:08:16 GMT
the person i had my zanzibaricas from used to collect many leaves for them, in fact i am led to believe that was the majority of their diet before i got them.
|
|
|
Post by lilmissvix on Jul 4, 2009 19:31:50 GMT
what leaves are safe then from wat trees
|
|
|
Post by crossless on Jul 5, 2009 21:39:37 GMT
Safe tree/bush leaves for snails r different type of rose bushes, birch, maple, mountain ash, hawthorn, oak, aspen, alder, willow, currant, hop, raspberry, gooseberry & fruit tree leaves (apple, cherry, plum). There is mayde few more, but I can't get them in my head right now. These are enough choose for. I got small barrel for my leaves, I picked up many kinds of leaves, few more different I'm planning to pick. I pick so many different ones 'cos my dad would get angry with me is I make trees looking like they r naked. And I wanted to pick up many things I can so leaves will be in different states of rotting. I piked mostly leaves whick snails don't like to eat so I don't get problem that they wouldn't eat anything else than leaf litter. I let all of leaves stalks on so they will stay more airy. I'm now just waiting the rotting. I'm planning to buy one big container for them when leaves are "ready" to use.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBug on Jul 5, 2009 22:10:06 GMT
My snails love rose petals. I've been giving them odd petals now and again and they seem ok
|
|