Filler (substrate) for Achatina snails, which one to choose...

Every pet, especially exotic pets, needs to be provided with conditions that are as close to natural as possible. And snails are no exception. Therefore, it is so necessary to maintain high humidity in a terrarium with mollusks, which is achieved thanks to the filler. The filler for snails can be different. In our article we will talk about the types of filler, their main advantages and disadvantages.

Most often they use coconut filler, peat, soil, or combine them, choosing the best option for pets.

Coconut substrate for snails

The most popular is coconut substrate for Achatina snails. It absorbs moisture well and retains it, maintaining the necessary microclimate in the mollusks’ home. This filler can be purchased at any pet store. You can buy pressed briquettes or ready-made soil. This filler also differs in the size of the fractions. Most people prefer fine-grained coconut substrate, because it is easier for snails to move around and burrow easier, but there are also breeders who believe that coarse-grained filler is more suitable for their pets.

The layer of coconut filler in the home of an adult snail should be at least 10 cm. This soil has a neutral acid-base environment, which is optimal for keeping mollusks without causing them harm. Coconut soil will not cause burns to your pet, like flower soil, for example. This substrate does not contain parasites and other harmful microorganisms.

Features of soil for Achatina

The main purpose of the snail substrate is that it maintains the required level of moisture in the house. In addition, it must be sprayed at least twice a day with a spray bottle.

The main functions that the earth performs for Achatina snails:

serves as a storage place for masonry - the mollusk digs a cozy home for future cubs;
is a protagonist in the creation of natural biotopes;
softens the pet's fall from the walls and lid of the terrarium;
helps regulate humidity.

The substrate for snails needs to be changed at least once every six months. But if an unpleasant spirit is heard from the container or midges are infested, then the substrate is renewed at the same moment. Moreover, it is not necessary to replace it 100%. It is enough to rinse, splash boiling water, dilute with a handful of fresh soil and loosen. The main thing is to make sure that the pet does not lay eggs at this time. Otherwise, the offspring may die after the manipulations.

By the way, the reason for the not very pleasant aroma is the remaining food buried by the animal “in reserve.”

Quantity

Many online sources provide different figures regarding the thickness of the substrate layer. Some resources recommend forming litter from 6 to 7 cm, in others - from 11 to 15. In fact, the confusion is easy to explain: the larger the size of the snail, the larger the layer required for housing. After all, it can be buried entirely in the ground. And Achatina, as is known, reaches 10 cm or more in the shell.

All experts agree on one thing: the substrate should be slightly moistened, but not wet. Otherwise, the animal will get stuck in it.

Neutralized peat

This type of filler can be purchased at flower shops. Its advantages are good absorption and moisture retention. But peat makes the terrarium dirty and if there is too much moisture, it begins to become waterlogged. When purchasing, pay attention to the pH of the peat; it should be at least 7, since a low acid-base environment can cause burns on the body of mollusks.

If you decide to use peat collected in the forest or purchased in a store without a note about pH on the label, then pre-treat it. To do this, place the soil in the oven or microwave and heat it for about 15-20 minutes. This will get rid of parasites and various harmful organisms. And to neutralize the environment of your filler, mix 3 tablespoons of feed chalk or dolomite flour per 1 kg of peat.

Decorative elements

When creating a favorable environment for the inhabitants of an aquarium or terrarium, you can add particles of living nature to it. Certain types of living plants will not only look harmonious in an aquarium with snails, but also maintain the necessary microclimate in it .

Don't forget to place decorative elements

These include:

fern;
moss;
ivy.

Given the flexibility of the latter plant, it is ideal for a small terrarium. And also such types of additional decor as fragments of pottery, unusual-looking sea stones, and mollusk shells will organically fit into this landscape.

Soil mixtures for flowers

On snail breeding websites there are often reports about keeping snails on soil for flowers. The most popular soils are for begonias, orchids and violets.

Please note that any flower soil is not suitable as a filler for a snail's terrarium!

The mollusk crawls along the ground and passes it through itself in the process of eating. The soil for plants and flowers, regardless of the type, always has a low pH and contains fertilizers, which are poisonous for these pets. Gradually, toxic substances from fertilizers will accumulate and after some time the mollusk will die from poisoning.

If you decide to give the snails flower soil, then first rinse it under clean, settled or filtered water to get rid of fertilizers, and add a small amount of dolomite flour or feed chalk to neutralize the acid-base environment (the proportions are approximately the same as for peat) .

Possible difficulties

When breeding Achatina, you may encounter some problems, most often due to improper maintenance of the pet.

Temperature violation

The health of the snail is negatively affected by too high or low temperatures, as well as drafts. The risk of overheating occurs when the terrarium is located near heating devices or in direct sunlight. If there is severe overheating, the mollusk dies.

Temperatures below +19 °C inhibit the development of Achatina and even lead to suspended animation.

Signs of temperature exposure include loss of activity in the pet and refusal to eat.

In case of overheating, the snail must be held under running cool water, and in case of hypothermia, carefully wipe it with a soft, warm cloth.

Drought in the terrarium

Low humidity in the terrarium negatively affects the condition of the pet. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly maintain the humidity level in his house at 70% -85%. For this purpose, it is recommended to use a spray bottle and a hygrometer.

If you see a mollusk hiding in a shell, you should immediately check the humidity level in the terrarium.

Masonry period

As a rule, in the natural environment, Achatina pregnancy is not accompanied by complications, which cannot be said about snail reproduction at home. In captivity, the formation and gestation of clutches contribute to a number of problems:

cessation of growth and development of an individual;
significant consumption of protein and calcium;
thinning of the shell with subsequent deformation and detachment.

Young small Achatina can hibernate during pregnancy.

To maintain the condition of a gestating snail, you must strictly adhere to all recommendations regarding climatic conditions in the terrarium and feeding regime.

Constantly in a dream

Hibernation is a common reaction of a snail to unsuitable living conditions, as well as poor-quality food or its absence. Suspended suspended animation that continues for more than 20 days significantly depletes Achatina’s body. If the mollusk is not brought out of this state in a timely manner, it may die.

During the pet's hibernation, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the protective membrane (epiphragm); if it is pulled inside the coil, it means that the individual begins to dry out and needs immediate awakening.

Snail shell problems

When breeding Achatina, problems often arise associated with the unsatisfactory condition of the shell; in most cases, they are caused by errors in its maintenance. These include:

deficiency of calcium, protein and vitamins in the body;
incorrectly selected soil: rocky or sandy;
frequent bathing of the individual under running chlorinated water;
the presence of a fungal infection as a result of unsanitary conditions;
unsuitable climate conditions;
insufficient volume of the terrarium.

If you find bite marks from other individuals on the shell of a mollusk, you must immediately isolate the affected pet and also include as much calcium in the diet as possible.

Clam shell care includes the following:

keeping in mats or only high-quality soil;
ensuring the required temperature and humidity level;
use only purified and well-settled water for all your pet’s needs, including bathing;
regular feeding with mixtures containing calcium;
treatment of the coil with special compounds: propolis-based ointment, natural vegetable oils; products containing vitamins A and E;
the constant presence of pumpkin and carrots in Achatina’s diet.

Cracks in the coil are repaired using glue, plaster or plaster.

A snail may not come out of its shell due to improper maintenance or stress. To force your pet to leave the shell, you need to bathe it in warm and clean water, and then put fresh food in the terrarium.

Bad heredity, the negative effects of pesticides and parasites can cause Achatina to fall out of the shell. In this case, the probability of death is 98%.

Young individuals still have a small chance to grow a new round; an older snail will certainly die.

Moss

Moss is also used as a filler for Achatina snails. You can buy moss at a flower shop or collect it yourself. The most commonly used in terrariums are:

sphagnum or forest moss
carpet moss.

This snail substrate perfectly absorbs and retains moisture. A snail kept on such a filler will remain clean itself and will not contaminate the walls of the terrarium, so there will be no need to wipe them so often. Read more about how to properly collect and prepare moss yourself in our next articles.

Unusual pets

Achatina, the giant African snail, will give many pets a run for their money. Thanks to their positive characteristics, snails very quickly gain favor in a variety of circles and even among those who have never before decided to have a pet. Achatinas are unpretentious, they do not need to be walked, they do not need to be cleaned after them, they do not make noise, do not chew slippers and do not tear upholstered furniture. A terrarium for Achatina is a decoration for the home interior, which is why many owners get them for themselves when they live alone or when they would like to create a corner with wildlife in the house, if there are concrete walls around, and the interior of the apartment is more reminiscent of a production workshop.

Leaf litter

Leaf litter is practically not used as an independent filler for snails, since dry leaves cannot retain moisture. As a rule, litter is used as an addition to the main soil or mixed with moss. Dry leaves make the soil looser and more convenient for hiding in the substrate. These mollusks like to crawl on dry leaves and even eat them. Therefore, preference should be given to the following types of trees under which to collect litter: oak, birch, maple, beech, aspen, rowan. But poplar and chestnut leaves are not recommended. The most popular among breeders is oak litter for snails, since this type of dry leaves is the least susceptible to rotting. But you shouldn’t throw away all the rotten leaves from the terrarium - your pets will happily feast on them, since in nature it is food for them.

You can buy such a filler for a terrarium or make it yourself.

Preparing leaf litter for snails is quite simple. It is necessary to collect fallen or fresh leaves, rinse well, pour over boiling water, and dry. Dry litter should be stored in a fabric bag in a dry place.

Nutrition

Achatina's favorite foods are products of plant origin, in particular soft and decaying parts of plants. Food preferences depend on age: young individuals prefer living plants, while older individuals prefer dead, rotting plant debris. At home, the most common food for snails is zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkin, mushrooms, cabbage and lettuce leaves and other soft vegetables.

Achatina’s diet should definitely include animal products containing protein and calcium. Therefore, small quantities of snails are given boiled chicken meat without salt. Sometimes they are fed boiled porridge made from a mixture of cereals.

Giving smoked and salted foods to shellfish is strictly prohibited. It is not advisable to give small Achatina a lot of soft food at the same time, as they can bury themselves in the food and suffocate.

Mat or mattress

A mat or mattress for a snail is a new way of keeping Achatina, which has its pros and cons. The principle is quite simple. At the bottom of the terrarium, instead of the usual soil, place a non-woven mattress with padding polyester or foam rubber, and spray it with water. Place some moss or leaf litter in a corner on the mat so that the snail can burrow if necessary.

Now about the positive aspects:

cleanliness in the terrarium;
convenient to wash the litter;
time for cleaning the terrarium is reduced;
midges and nematodes do not appear.

I would like to note that all the advantages will only be for owners of mollusks, since the benefits of such content for snails are questionable compared to other types of bedding. But reviews of such content are only positive.

Microclimate

The health and well-being of snails directly depends on the microclimate. A comfortable life for snails is possible at a humidity level of no lower than 60% and no higher than 90% .

At the same time, humidity is a parameter that concerns not only the air, but also the soil, which actively releases moisture. You can adjust the microclimate using a simple spray bottle. You can irrigate with warm water not only the substrate, but also the walls of the terrarium. Snails are happy to collect drops of moisture from the surface of the glass.

You need to monitor the humidity and temperature inside using a thermometer and hygrometer . In almost any pet store, you can purchase both mechanical and electronic options. The optimal choice is a 2 in 1 universal device. An electronic thermometer-hygrometer, easily attached to the wall of the terrarium using a suction cup.

Under natural conditions, during the daytime, mollusks prefer to hide in the shade. They become active in search of food after sunset. Therefore, when kept in artificial conditions, it is strictly contraindicated for snails to be exposed to direct sunlight. Under no circumstances should you place a plastic or glass terrarium on a windowsill. Although they are heat-loving animals, dry heat can kill them

You should not install additional lighting fixtures in or near the terrarium. An ordinary room one will be enough.

Hazelnut shells and walnut membranes

Very rarely, crushed walnut membranes or hazelnut or hazelnut shells crushed into coarse crumbs are used as a filler for snails. This type of litter absorbs almost no water. As a result, moisture accumulates at the bottom, stagnates, an unpleasant odor appears in the terrarium, and midges and mosquitoes appear. In addition, large pieces of shell can injure the snail's body. Therefore, if you decide to use such a filler for your snail, be prepared for frequent cleaning and changing the bedding.

Ideal for snails

Having acquired the giant Achatina snails for permanent residence, the question arose of how to organize a cozy house for them. Hesitating between an aquarium and a plastic container, I chose the latter, as it is easier to clean and move.

As for the filler, I tried various options:

Flower land. Not aesthetically pleasing. The Uli smear it all over the walls and are always dirty themselves.
The mixture for orchids showed itself on the positive side if you use some of the wood chips and dust, discarding the soil. But it's expensive.
I somehow came across coconut substrate in a hardware store that was not very crushed. In fact, I really liked it. But the price of 50 rubles per bag for one time, considering that I change the soil a couple of times a month, is a bit expensive.
Compressed coconut substrate is ideal.

Most often they use coconut filler, peat, soil, or combine them, choosing the best option for pets.

Sawdust

Never use sawdust as a substrate for a snail's terrarium! After all, the mollusk absorbs and passes through itself the filler on which it lives. Sharp pieces of sawdust can injure the snail's throat and body, leaving splinters and scratches, which cause inflammation and suppuration. When kept on sawdust, the horns are the first to suffer. In some cases, the horns die due to clogging with sawdust.

Cleaning

Cleaning the terrarium should be carried out at least once a week. As for replacing water and cleaning up uneaten food, this task must be addressed daily. If ticks and other parasites are found, the substrate should be removed immediately.

Regardless of the filler of the substrate, for complete cleaning, it is necessary to remove the inhabitants of the snail house. If the water quality allows, they can be washed with warm water in the shower. When, after the first use of water procedures, there is no plaque left on the sink, then you can safely carry out them in the future.

Get a separate sponge for cleaning the container and use only that. There is no need to use chemical detergents to wash the walls, bottom and lid. All you need is a sponge and warm water.

After bathing, it is advisable to wipe the surface of the sink with sesame oil . This will prevent drying out.

Sand

Breeders have different opinions regarding sand as a filler for a terrarium. Sand is the natural habitat of Achatina, some say. Snails feel comfortable in the sand; such an environment stimulates Achatina to reproduce and lay eggs. Others believe that it is not advisable to keep a snail on sand, since sand does not retain water well, scratches the body and shell of the mollusk, and also scratches and stains the glass walls of the terrarium. The snail shell gets scratched by sand, becomes dull and white, and it is not possible to restore its original appearance.

Creating comfortable conditions

Achatina snails will feel comfortable both in a small glass aquarium and in a special plastic container with ventilation holes. In any case, you will need a heavy top cover that will not allow the snail to escape. The lid must have holes for fresh air.

It should be taken into account that snails climb the walls of the terrarium well , so the holes should not be too large. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the snail will simply run away and it will be very difficult to find it.

It is not advisable to cover the terrarium with bark or sawdust, as the snails can be severely scratched. Mollusks feed on all kinds of waste in the form of cabbage leaves or lettuce.

Other fillers

The best option is to mix the soil with peat and sand. Each breeder must select the proportions individually, with such a condition that the snail can freely burrow into the ground and breathe. The prepared soil should retain moisture well and allow air to pass through.

Keeping snails on newspapers, paper and napkins is not allowed. In some cases, snails are placed on clean white paper for a while to remove parasites or if the shell is damaged. Some species of obligate woodies can be kept on wet wipes without burrowing into the ground or falling off the terrarium lid.

Observe the snail to determine optimal humidity and soil conditions. If the snail spends almost all the time on the lid or wall of the terrarium, then the humidity is high or the soil does not like it. If it is closed in the sink, then the humidity is low. If the humidity and soil are suitable, the snail is active at night and burrows into the soil during the day.

Each snail owner decides for himself which soil to choose for snails. We tried to objectively talk about each of the types, describe their main advantages and disadvantages. We hope that our article was useful to you, and you will select the appropriate filler for your snail.

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Historical data

The homeland of these giant mollusks is the eastern part of Africa with high temperatures and high humidity. Later, Achatina appeared in the Seychelles, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and India. Within 10 years, individuals spread to the territories of Malaysia and Indochina.

Having settled on the island of Taiwan, Achatina began to multiply rapidly, thereby creating a problem for local residents. The Taiwanese tried to find a way to get rid of snails, but at the same time they enjoyed eating their meat. And after the Japanese appeared in the south of the island, they began to prepare signature dishes from pests.

Japanese farmers began to artificially breed Achatina in order to sell their meat, for which a lot of money could be earned in Japan. Giant clams were unable to take root in the northern regions of this country due to unsuitable conditions, so Japan avoided their widespread distribution.

In Africa they eat Achatina snails

In India, Achatina eat the lion's share of the crop, and therefore the Ministry of Agriculture announced a fight against them. At the same time, clam soup is popular in this country and is used as a remedy for tuberculosis.

US laws prohibit the import of giant snails into its territory. Violators face a fine of $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison.

Where to place

These pets are not very picky about environmental conditions, but the minimum parameters must still be observed. Otherwise, the individuals will feel uncomfortable and will most likely die. They like quiet places, protected from pets and sunlight. It is advisable to place it in rooms with high humidity and sufficient temperature. The box must contain a substrate for the substrate.

Adults prefer a deep base - at least 7 centimeters. It is best to use ready-made soil options, which are sold in gardening stores; such soil does not contain harmful impurities. You need to check in advance such an important parameter of the substrate as pH (it will be written on the packaging). A pH level of 7.0 will be sufficient; lower values will negatively affect the condition of sensitive skin and sinks.

Application

Coco soil is a multifunctional material. Below are the most common uses:

instead of soil;
as an additive to create optimal moisture capacity;
for growing seedlings;
for rooting cuttings;
for filling high beds;
for vertical gardening;
for mulching plants;
for storing roots and tubers (dry);
as soil for terrariums.

For flowers

For moisture-loving indoor flowers, you can use coco soil without other additives or as one of the elements of a composite soil. Coconut fiber for seedlings increases soil breathability, accumulates moisture and nutrients from nutrient solutions and mineral fertilizers. In order for the material to exhibit its beneficial properties, its share must be at least 30%. Peat tablets, which can be soaked directly inside the seedling pots, are optimal for growing seedlings. It is better to use mats in greenhouses.

Coconut peat is used not only in indoor floriculture, but also for open ground plants. When the substance is added to heavy soil, the acidity decreases, the soil becomes more crumbly and unattractive to pests. When creating raised beds, it is useful to use coconut husks as the bottom layer. Recently a new product has appeared on the market - thin layers for mulching. They are produced in the form of rolls or circles of different sizes. This mulch protects the plant from overheating or hypothermia, and also from drying out, allowing you to reduce the frequency of watering.

For snails

Not only flower growers and gardeners liked coconut flakes. Owners of home terrariums – fans of breeding giant snails – also became interested in this product. Achatina's skin is delicate and soft; the soil should not injure it. Moist coco peat works great. You need to make sure that the soil does not dry out, otherwise the snail will be forced to moisten it with its own mucus. This is not beneficial for the mollusk and does not look aesthetically pleasing. Coconut soil, capable of retaining large amounts of moisture, is very popular with Achatina owners.

Snails breathe through their skin, so good soil permeability is very important. Coco soil absorbs odors, does not rot, and prevents the proliferation of microorganisms and mold. Snails happily burrow into the material and feel great there. The thickness of the required layer depends on the size of the snail. The substrate should be changed as it gets dirty. After washing and boiling, the soil can be reused.