Diary: A. reticulata, A. achatina & A zanzibarica

[MasterOfArts]

Hello,

Meet Ashoka Tano my Achatina reticulata.

Currently around 3cm in size, eating well now.

The snail is living in a propagation tub. The Temp is around 26-27c with a humidity of 70 - 75%. The snail when large enough will be possibly housed in a spare exo terra 90x45x90cm that I have.

The nursery



Soil wise I am using exo terra plantation soil (coconut husk) this is bioactive with some exotic woodlice. I was going to add springtails but thought they may irritate the snail.

I will get some pictures of these from under my microscope for you shortly.

I also added some lime stone powder(CaCO3) to the substrate and mixed it through the soil, about 2 tablespoons worth to aid calcium intake.

This snail can be a fussy eater but I will continue to add and feed a variety of foods.

Here it is eating some of my homebrew snail grug, I took these pics a couple weeks ago...





Here are a few more pictures from yesterday that I took whilst it was again eating and grazing food.









I am always open to constructive and friendly suggestions on how to improve care levels.

I dont plan to breed Ashoka although you never know.

I am also interested in Achatina achatina and if I do get 1 I plan to house it separately.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

MasterOfArts.

Edit: Would snails from Zanzibar hibernate in their natural environment and if so whats the procedure?

[jolovessnailies]

They are gorgeous little snailies love and I love the photos. Doing what they do best I notice - eating LOL! I have a picky eater too hunni, I think we all do. Thanks again for the great photos and updates. I have a couple of Atachina Fulicas and they are adorable.

Hugs
JO xx

[etana]

Thanks for posting the pics! Ashoka Tano is adorable.

Snails may hibernate or aestivate, well African snails rather aestivate because as far as I know, hibernation is for surviving cold weather, and they wouldn't know about that!
If he needs to rest for a bit, he'll seal his shell shut with some calcium when he sees fit to do so. Some of my giant snails will take a break from the world like this for even weeks at a time (I'm jealous! Lol). Then I usually get concerned and take a LED light to them to see their heart still beats. They wake up from it very grumpily, and seal themselves back in. Repeat until they know they've slept long enough.

As for the picky eating, never change food when he's in the middle of saying no to it. It must not seem a logical follow-up of anything to him. That way he won't learn that he gets you to change the food by making angry faces or somesuch (snails are surprisingly clever when it comes to this!).

[etana]

Oh, as for improvements in the tank, my personal opinion is that both you and the snail are missing out if he lives alone. Snaily interactions are very funny to see, seem to be enjoyed by the snails, and they add so much to the experience for the keeper as well. You may get the responsibility of destroying eggs, though.

[jolovessnailies]

Yes Etana hunni, we have all had the unpleasant task of freezing eggs when they are hatched but the alternative really isn't an option.

Hugs
Jo xx

[MasterOfArts]

Hello Folks,

Thanks for your replies and comments.

I have been considering getting another Achatina reticulata but its egg destroying that I dont like, it makes me feel guilty.

I do really like Achatina achatina and im keeping my eye out for a non albino varient.

A question for you lovely folk.........

If I was to put an Achatina reticulata in with a Achatina achatina would they mate?

Im not really into hybrids so if they do I would of course keep them seperated if I did purchase the latter.

Here is a little update that I also posted over in PetSnails...

The growth rate of this snail is mento, check out the new shell growth in a little over 3-4 weeks tops...









I have a funny feeling this snail will be a monster.

Im kinda recording the snails favorite food or what I have noticed it will eat..

Courgette, loves green bean pods , loves the DIY snail grub, cucumber of course which is a treat only,oak leaf lettuce, cheap fish food, kale & butternut squash.

I have tried my best to get it to eat dandelion and other wild leaves as I pick a lot for my tortoise but it isnt having any of it, stubborn.

[jolovessnailies]

He is just beautiful MOA love and he certainly enjoys his food. It sounds as if you are giving him a great and varied diet. I try many different things with mine and they turn their noses up and prefer just salad. No pleasing some people LOL! I thought mine would love things like peach, strawberry and green beans to name just a few but no, they weren't interested. Spoilt spoilt little snailies LOL!

Hugs
JO xx

[etana]

Jo is that so? We need to review your feeding schedule if they only accept salad anymore, as that is not good.

[jolovessnailies]

I didn't mean to panic you Etana love and I thank you for your concern. They do eat the other things but not so heartily so I would welcome any advice you can give. I must say though they are all marvelously healthy with beautiful shells and bodies.

Hugs
Jo xx

[MasterOfArts]

Hello,

Been a while since I have posted any updates.

I have been that impressed with the garland range of propagation tubs I have decided to buy the largest one on the market to house Ashoka.

Here are a couple of pictures, the older at the top and the new housing at the bottom...





The sizes as per garland website: 58cm (23") Long 40.5cm (16") Wide 22.5cm (9") High.

If you are interested in these units here is the makers website: www.garlandproducts.com/xl-high-dome-propagator.html

I purchased mine online for around £13 but I see they sell up to £25 which of course is extremely expensive but its the best I have used so far.

Ashoka is growing fast and I will get up to date pictures shortly.

The latest breakthrough is that carrots are now excepted.

Edit:

As mentioned above below is some up to date pictures of Ashoka in her new environment.
















So a little bit of maintenance done today and the lid back on until tomorrow's feed



If any of you are wondering what the green moss that was in the substrate, well its marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei) shredded up. I dont know how well it will do in this setup but I do know it can live outside water in a humid environment.

Here are some I have left in their natural form as I am going to give a couple to my Mrs in a nice but large glass jar with pebbles in the bottom...



I hope you are enjoying this thread.

Peace out and have a lovely weekend.

All the best,

MOA.

[jolovessnailies]

I love anything natural like that love and I am sure your wife will love it. You have a great weekend too.

Hugs
Jo xx

[MasterOfArts]

Sept 30, 2017 15:37:44 GMT jolovessnailies said:

I love anything natural like that love and I am sure your wife will love it. You have a great weekend too.

Hugs
Jo xx

This is what I made her, she did like it especially after I explained why I was giving her them.



Here is a bit of folklore in them...

mossballpets.com/blogs/news/the-legend-of-your-mossball-pet

Cheap to make and lasts at least 100 years.

I got 10 moss balls for £7, the jar for £2 and a bag of stones for £1.

The rest of the moss balls I have put in my frog setup in the filtered water area.

I used to keep quite a lot of these when I kept fish tanks.

[jolovessnailies]

They look so round and fluffy hunni, I love anything like that. What a great link, thank you so much for sharing. I didn't know the dear little things existed, now I want some, they are so cute.

Hugs
Jo xx

[MasterOfArts]

Found an old battery operated light that I bought from home bargins about 2 years ago so I thought I would put it to some use for display purposes only since the dark Knights are nearly here....







I took the pictures at about 6pm so a bit early for Ashoka to be roaming.

[jolovessnailies]

That is a great setup love, I am sure the snailies just love it. I am waiting for some coir to arrive as their semi clean out is due.