Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Picking a snail
• Method 2 of 4: Create a snail enclosure
• Method 3 of 4: Feeding your snail
• Method 4 of 4: General care
• Tips
• Warnings

A snail is a very nice first pet. Although they move slowly, they are fun to watch and easier to care for than most other pets.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Picking a snail

1. Decide what kind of snail you want. Snails are not easy to find at the pet store. Many people think of snails as a pest rather than a pet, but you can buy them from specialty stores and importers.
   • Native snails can be found in gardens and woodlands, so this may be the best choice if you are getting a snail as a pet for the first time.
   • Today, exotic snails such as the African giant snail are becoming increasingly popular as pets.
   • Snails can live to be 3 to 15 years old in captivity. So remember to take a long time to care for your pet - if you don't plan on taking care of your snail for that long, get a native species so you can release it back into the wild.
   • Snails like to eat vegetables and plants from gardens, and a non-native species can do a lot of damage to the ecosystem if released.
   • Remember, it's not just any slug with a shell on it. If you want a slug as a pet, research what a slug, not a snail, needs to be healthy and happy.
2. Consider getting more than one snail. Snails like company, and if your snail has a buddy to interact with, it will have a better time and be happier. It is also more fun to look at several snails than one.
   • The difference in care for one or two snails is minimal, so it won't take much more money or time to mate your snail.
   • Take two snails of the same species, because one species can carry diseases that can be harmful to the other.
   • Groups of snails like to sleep in a heap together, which indicates that they enjoy company.

Method 2 of 4: Create a snail enclosure

1. Buy a plastic container for your snail. A snail can live in all kinds of containers - ideally find a transparent container with plenty of ventilation and enough space for your pet to move around and explore. Make sure the lid can be closed properly and remains closed - a snail can lift 10-50 times its own weight, so it can lift the lid and escape.
   • If you are unsure of the size of the tank, use this calculator to find the correct size based on the type and number of snails you want to keep.
   • A large container for reptiles is a great home for land snails, because they are made of clear plastic and have a lid with good ventilation holes.
   • A glass container or aquarium is also suitable for snails, although a heavy glass container is more difficult to clean and transport.
   • A translucent plastic storage box can also double as a snail shelter. Make holes in the lid or on the sides so that your snail gets enough oxygen.
   • Wash the container well before you make a snail stay in it. Use boiling water and a mild detergent, then rinse the container thoroughly with more water. Orphan absolutely sure that you've rinsed out all the detergent or you might poison your snail.
   • Do not use a wooden or cardboard container as it will rot. A snail can also eat through the cardboard.
2. Place 2-5 cm of the filling of your choice on the bottom of your container. Popular types of filling are, for example, peat, coconut, potting soil and humus. Take sterilized stuffing without pesticides or fertilizers, as these are harmful to your snail.
   • Do not use sand, pebbles, stones, shells or brittle objects that the snail cannot bury in.
   • Peat, coconut and potting soil are good fillings in which the snail can burrow. You can find them at the pet store or garden center.
   • Spray the filling with water every morning and evening to keep it moist. Don't get it so wet that it gets puddles of water - it should just stick to your hand when you handle it.
   • Add a little peat moss to the filling to keep it moist.
   • Be careful, because soil from your garden can contain germs or pesticides that can harm your snail.
3. Decorate the snail enclosure with things your snail can crawl on or hide under. Avoid hard objects such as stones, bricks or ceramics - a snail can fall off the side of the enclosure and if it falls on a hard surface, its shell may break and be seriously injured.
   • Find a plastic or polyethylene plant pot. Place it on its side in the enclosure to create a cave. You can also turn the jar upside down and make a small opening in it for the snail to hide in.
   • Look for organic materials that don't rot quickly, such as cork or dried branches. Check the reptile section of the pet store for a variety of suitable items for your snail to play with.
   • A shallow water dish makes an excellent drinking bowl for your snail, and it increases the moisture level of the bowl. Find a bowl with low sides and don't put too much water in it or your snail could drown. You can buy a reptile drinking bowl for this.
4. Pay attention to the temperature and humidity in the container. The temperature should be between 18 and 30ºC, or about room temperature. Every day, feel the filling that it has not dried out.
   • If your house gets very cold in the winter, buy a heat mat so that the temperature and humidity in the tank are maintained. Fasten the mat to the side of the tray so that about 1/3 of the side is covered. If the snails get too hot, they can crawl to a colder corner of the tank.

Method 3 of 4: Feeding your snail

1. Feed your snail raw fruits and vegetables every few days. Snails love a wide variety of foods such as apples, mushrooms, tomatoes, bananas, strawberries, carrots, leafy greens and much more. Try out different things to see what your snail likes.
   • Snails also like dry and wet cat or dog food, as well as turtle food.
   • Place a food bowl in the enclosure so that you can remove rotting residue more easily.
   • Don't give your snail salt or salty foods. It will kill him.
2. Provide your snail with a source of calcium. Calcium is important for keeping your snail's shell healthy and strong. Sepia bone is cheap and easily available at pet stores, and it provides your snail with enough calcium. Always have cleaned sepia legs in your snail enclosure.
   • Eggshells and calcium supplements are other easy ways to give your snail more calcium.
   • Snails can absorb calcium through their body, so they can sit on a sepia leg and get it through their foot.
3. Always clean the food thoroughly before giving it to the snail. Leftover pesticides can poison and kill your snail. Never skip this step, even with organic fruits and vegetables. It is a myth that organic products do not contain pesticides at all. Even if you are 100% sure that there are no pesticides on them, you should still wash the fruits and vegetables as they may contain other harmful substances.
   • Also make sure to wash the source of calcium well.

Method 4 of 4: General care

1. Learn to handle your snail properly. If the snail is on the side of the enclosure, spray some water on your hand and on the snail. Slide your finger under the snail's head, between the snail and the side of the container. Use your other hand to support the snail's body and pull gently while sliding your finger all the way under the snail's foot. Then put the snail in your palm.
   • Always wet your hands before lifting your snail.
   • If you can't get your finger under his head, put something to eat close to the snail. Then he stretches his head so you can slide your finger under it.
   • Always wash your hands before and after handling your snail to avoid transmitting disease.
   • Don't force the snail to move. If it doesn't come off easily from the side of the bin, try picking it up later.
   • If you have a very small snail, let it crawl onto a piece of food and put it in your hand like that. Trying to grab a small snail with your hands can hurt it.
   • Don't pull on the snail's shell. If you accidentally pull the house off, your snail will die.
2. Remove eggs from the soil. Unless you would like tens or hundreds of baby snails, you should remove the eggs before they hatch. The eggs are round and white or translucent. Sometimes there is only one egg, but there can also be groups of hundreds of eggs. It takes about two weeks for the eggs to hatch, so check the tray filling every week.
   • Destroy the eggs by placing them in a bag in the freezer. Make sure they are completely frozen before throwing them away.
   • Don't throw unwanted eggs outside, especially not if you have an exotic species of snail.
   • If you are concerned about the eggs, do not put too much filling in the container. Then you can find the eggs more easily and throw them away.
3. Clean the tray every month. Put your snail in a temporary container and throw everything out. Wash the container with boiling water and a mild detergent. Rinse the tank thoroughly - detergent residue can kill your snail.
   • Clean the sides of the container with water once a week to make sure they don't get too dirty in between cleanings.
   • Discard any rotting food that you have not removed before.
   • Clean the filling or sprinkle fresh filling on the bottom of the container.
   • If it is difficult to get the snail slime off the walls, you can clean them with a little vinegar.
4. Bathe your snail. Wash your snail with water from time to time (about once a month) to keep it from getting sick. Place your snail in a shallow dish of water at room temperature, throwing a little water over its body at a time. Do not submerge the snail completely, or it will drown.
   • Use your finger, a soft cloth, or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the shell. Don't use anything abrasive to clean your snail.
   • Never use soap or detergent to wash your snail. Only use water.

Tips

• If you are feeding the snails and the snail's poo is orange from the roots or green from the lettuce, don't worry, that's normal.
• Slugs live differently from common snails, so don't put them together in a container.
• Keep the snail enclosure away from dogs, cats or other large pets.
• Always wash your hands before playing with your snail.
• Feed your snail a variety of fruits and vegetables so that it gets all the nutrients it needs.
• Rather use filtered water or spring water to spray / clean your snail, and not tap water.
• Hold your snail to the shell.But don't pick him up.
• Get instructions on how to care for your snail at the pet store.
• Keep the snails in a large container so that they have room to play, eat and exercise. Put sticks, soil and plants in it so that it feels at home.

Warnings

• Never give a snail salt or salty products, it will kill it.
• Do not poke the soft parts of the snail as it will get stressed.
• Do not squeeze the house because it will break.