Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Housing your large agate snail
• Part 2 of 3: Maintaining proper hygiene
• Part 3 of 3: Feeding the snail
• Tips
• Warnings

The great agate snail is native to East Africa, but has adapted to many other countries. It is an invasive species. They can grow to 25 cm in length. In countries where they can be legally kept, they are fun pets because they require relatively little grooming and are fun to watch. If you decide to take a large agate snail as a pet, you will need to house it, provide hygienic care, and provide fresh food on a regular basis.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Housing your large agate snail

1. Find an aquarium with a tight-fitting lid. While the snail does need ventilation, it's also important that the habitat cover fits properly as your snail will climb out if given the chance. An aquarium works well, but any plastic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid will do.
   • Do not use a wooden container, as the splinters will harm the snail.
   • For two snails you need a holder of at least 65x45x40 cm.
   • You can keep a snail alone or with a partner. However, snails are hermaphrodites, so if you have more than one in the same container, you are likely to end up with baby snails.
2. Add substrate. The substrate is basically the floor covering your snail needs to be satisfied. Snails like soil, but make sure to use peat-free compost soil. Don't use what's in your backyard as it may contain chemicals that are harmful to your snail.
   • Use 3-6 inches of the material.
   • Since snails like to burrow, it is good to make a deeper part in the container where they can dig. It is also good to place a hiding place for your snail.
3. Moisten the substrate. The soil you use should be kept moist to keep the snail happy. It doesn't have to be completely wet, you just need to keep it slightly damp. Use a spray bottle to spray it and keep it that moist.
   • Spray the habitat a little daily to keep the soil moist and maintain the correct humidity level.
4. Keep your snail warm. Snails are happiest at a temperature of around 21-23 degrees Celsius. The best way to achieve a warm temperature (if the room is not warm enough) is to place a heating pad under half of the living area. Only put it under half so your snail can move to the other half to cool if needed.
   • Monitor the temperature in the aquarium with a thermometer.The large agate snail can survive in temperatures between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius, but not in more extreme temperatures.
5. Provides indirect sunlight. Snails need a little light to be happy. However, indirect sunlight is best. The full sun is too strong for the snails, they will hide as much as possible.
6. Watch for signs of unhappiness. If your snail doesn't like the conditions of its home, it will likely retreat to its shell. A snail often does this if the environment is not warm enough. If you fix the problem, you can lure snails out again with a warm water bath.
   • Place it carefully in a bowl of water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.

Part 2 of 3: Maintaining proper hygiene

1. Wipe the tank if it looks dirty. If you notice the tank looking dirty or smudged, then it is time to wipe it clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe the walls and lid.
2. Refresh the substrate weekly. The substrate will get dirty over time because your snail uses it as a toilet. That means you have to refresh it regularly. Once a week, throw away the old substrate and give your snail a fresh, clean coat.
3. Clean the aquarium completely once a month. Every now and then you have to clean the tank completely. Do this at least once a month, but some owners do it on a weekly basis. Take everything out of the tank and wash it thoroughly with hot water.
   • Do not use cleaning agents or disinfectants as the snail will absorb them through its skin.
4. Bathe your snails once a month. Snails also need to be bathed regularly, about once a month. Remember that snails absorb things through their skin, so don't use soap. Simply soak them in lukewarm water and then wipe them dry with a soft cloth.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly. After doing anything with your snail, from bathing to cleaning its habitat, you should wash your hands thoroughly. Use warm water and soap and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.
   • Although the risk is low, snails can carry and transmit certain parasites. Washing your hands well is important to protect yourself from potential parasites.

Part 3 of 3: Feeding the snail

1. Choose fresh foods. The Great Agate Snail will eat almost all types of vegetarian food, but fresh food is the best option. Start with foods such as lettuce, cucumber, apple, banana, and cabbage. Also try corn and peppers, as well as zucchini, grapes, cantaloupe, watercress, and spinach.
   • Always check the food after a while and throw it away if it has gone bad.
   • Don't feed onions, pasta (starchy foods), and things with salt in them.
2. Wash your snail's food thoroughly. Make sure to wash your snail's food thoroughly before giving it to it. You need to make sure that any pesticides have been washed away so that your snail doesn't ingest them.
3. Use a small water bowl. Place a shallow bowl of drinking water in the snail's habitat. The bowl also helps maintain the humidity in the aquarium. Make sure to change the water every day.
4. Give the snail calcium. Snails need a constant supply of calcium to maintain their shell. An easy way is to place a cuttlefish in the aquarium, these are for sale in most pet stores. Use ground eggshells (clean) or ground oyster shells as an alternative.
   • If your snail doesn't seem to like these things, you can buy spray calcium and spray it on the food.

Tips

• Wet your hands before picking up a snail. Slide your hand under the front of the snail.
• Do not pick up a snail by the shell, especially when they are still young. The shell can be damaged and even ripped off completely if you pick up the snail on it.
• Make sure to maintain a stable temperature that meets the requirements of the specific strain. Incorrect temperature and frequent fluctuations can cause shell damage and scarring.

Warnings

• Keeping this snail as a pet is illegal in many places as it is a highly invasive species when released into nature.