The African land snail, or Achatina immaculata, is an interesting animal that is becoming a popular pet among enthusiasts. This snail, which is renowned for its enormous size and kind disposition, can make a fascinating and fruitful addition to your house. Offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of mollusks, Achatina immaculata is distinguished by its shell and slow movement.
The relatively low maintenance required to keep Achatina immaculata as a pet is one of its most alluring features. Because of their adaptability and ability to flourish in a variety of settings, these snails are great for both novice and seasoned keepers. To maintain their shells, they need a basic setup that primarily consists of a source of calcium and a humid environment.
Apart from their effortless maintenance, Achatina immaculata can also be highly communicative. They may not come when called or play fetch, but they do respond to gentle handling and exhibit some interesting behaviors. Observing them investigate their surroundings, eat, and develop can bring hours of tranquil pleasure.
Achatina immaculata may be the ideal option if you’re thinking about expanding your collection or if you just want to learn more about these amazing snails. In addition to being simple to maintain, they provide a rare window into the natural world from the comforts of your own house.
- Description
- Conditions of maintenance
- Coexistence
- Nutrition
- Reproduction
- Subspecies
- Achatina immaculata var. immaculata
- Achatina immaculata var. immaculata two-tone
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Description
- Columella is colored pink, crimson or purple.
- The body color is light beige with a reddish tint. Across the entire neck there is a smooth stripe of light brown color. The leg is soft, has a clear mesh pattern. The horns are short.
- The natural habitat is East Africa, but this species has spread to southern Africa and many other parts of the planet.
Conditions of maintenance
Achatina immaculata snails don’t require much maintenance, but there are still a few things to keep in mind.
For this species, a horizontal terrarium holding 10–15 liters per individual is appropriate. Immaculata are tiny, but they are energetic and enjoy having their own space.
For the terrarium, filler can be any material on the approved list, including coconut substrate. A 7–10 cm filler layer is necessary for the snail to be able to burrow into it. Using moss or leaf litter is advised.
The terrarium’s temperature needs to be kept between 25 and 27°¡. Generally speaking, these snails become inactive and refuse food when the temperature drops below 25 degrees. Immaculata can undergo prolonged stress, hibernate, and cease growing at temperatures higher than 27.
Humidity is another crucial factor. 70–80% should be its level. The activity of the snail decreases when the humidity falls below 70%. One can tolerate high humidity better.
Snails of the Achatina immaculata species cannot withstand abrupt changes in environment. Consequently, there may be a week to a month-long period of stress, growth retardation, and hibernation. Fat people can pass away from exhaustion.
You should set the temperature for small snails to 26–28 degrees Celsius and the humidity to 75–90%.
Hibernation is not necessary for these snails. Despite the fact that some individuals within the species sporadically plan diapause. They can linger for a few days or two to three weeks. During this time, try not to disturb the snail. Most likely, trying to wake it up won’t accomplish anything. The snail will eventually awaken and go back to sleep. Immaculata can be fed, woken up, and left alone if it sleeps for longer than two weeks.
Achatina immaculata is a well-liked species of African land snail that is perfect for novices and seasoned snail enthusiasts alike due to its easy care requirements, beautiful shell patterns, and manageable size. These snails eat fresh fruits and vegetables and do well in warm, humid climates. Achatina immaculata is a fascinating look into the world of mollusks and a distinctive addition to any home aquarium or terrarium setup. With the right care, it can live up to several years.
Coexistence
Panthers, fulicas, and reticulata can coexist with Achatina immaculata. However, putting different species together should be done so carefully and under close observation. Because immaculata can gnaw on their neighbors, the neighbors may experience stress and develop poorly as a result.
Nutrition
This species’ snails are extremely omnivorous. Nearly every fruit and vegetable on the approved list is consumed voluntarily by them.
More than others, implaculata require animal protein. Because they eat dead insects, small animal corpses, and bird carcasses in their natural habitat.
Additionally required is vegetable protein.
The approximate protein supplement norms for Achatina immaculata are listed below.
It has not been noted that members of this species consume excessive amounts of protein. However, you shouldn’t use a lot of protein supplements. A half-teaspoon is sufficient for two people at a time.
Achatina Immaculata will start to nibble at its neighbors if it does not get enough protein supplements.
There should always be an abundance of calcium available.
Reproduction
Achatina immaculata reach sexual maturity at the age of 6-7 months. 7-8 cm shelled individuals as young as 4 months old occasionally make their first clutches.
A clutch contains between 100 and 200 eggs on average. There may be a variety of egg sizes in a clutch, ranging from 4 to 7 mm, with a few larger eggs occasionally present.
Please be aware that the snail may stop eating and growing approximately one week prior to laying. An immaculata that has reached sexual maturity may therefore have scars on its shell.
It is possible to take care of the whorl after laying. Allow the snail to recuperate its strength if it hasn’t descended too far. Give it a healthy meal, and if it nods off, don’t touch it. Should it extend far behind the whorl, assistance from you will be required. If the snail refuses to eat solid food, feed it vegetable juices or puree. You can bathe in blue clay or offer milk.
Eggs can take several days to two weeks to incubate, depending on temperature and humidity.
The infants develop pretty rapidly. Within a month, they can grow to be 2-3 cm in size.
Subspecies
As you are aware, not all species diversity in snails has been thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, a plethora of contradicting and out-of-date information can be found on the Internet regarding this topic. Achatina immaculata subspecies, for instance, comprise:
- Achatina immaculata var. immaculata
- Achatina immaculata var. Panthera
- Achatina immaculata var. two-tone
- Achatina immaculata var. smithii
- Achatina immaculata var. lamarckiana
- Achatina immaculata var. Stuhlmanni
- Achatina immaculata var dimidiata
Actually, everything has changed entirely.
Varieties (var.) are generally understood to be forms lacking taxonomic significance, usually a variation in shell or leg color. Now let’s put this to use with the aforementioned varieties.
There is no such thing as Achatina immaculata var. smithii. Achatina smithii is mentioned as a distinct species in some scientific papers (Craven, 1881). This species has no particular descriptions. However, a specimen of this species should have eight turns and a shell as high as 55 mm. At the very least, Achatina immaculate is substantially bigger. As a result, immaculata has nothing to do with the so-called Smitty.
There is also no Achatina immaculata var. Panthera. For a long while, Achatina immaculata was mistakenly identified as Achatina panthera, a distinct species. We’ll talk about this in greater detail in a later post.
Achatina immaculata Lamarckiana is another surname that was made up. Additionally, there is the term pseudo-shtulmans. Maybe "lamarckiana" is a synonym for Achatina immaculata (Lamarck, 1822), and this name is misinterpreted. The name "snails" refers to a type of shell color that is similar to Achatina panthera, a pale yellow or white columella. Achatina panthera lamarckiana is another name that appears in certain sources.
Another immaculata pseudo-subspecies is Achatina immaculata var. stuhlmanni. Stuhlmanni do not have pink, crimson, or purple columbellas; instead, they are white. Despite having a similar appearance, these snails cannot be a subspecies of immaculata. Although Achatina immaculata var stuhlmanni is not recognized in the nomenclature, many people still refer to the species as Achatina stuhlmanni subspecies of Achatina immaculata.
Another mythical species is Achatina immaculata var dimidiate, which is actually Achatina immaculata var immaculata two-tone. Because of the divided color of the shell, this species is mistaken for the South African Archachatina dimidiata. This means that there are just two subspecies of Achatina immaculate: Achatina immaculata var. immaculata and Achatina immaculata var. two-tone.
Achatina immaculata var. immaculata
This subspecies has plump coils and dark-colored shells. The final turn’s color can be entirely one color or have very faint reddish or brownish stripes.
Achatina immaculata var. immaculata two-tone
The color of the shell is stunning. It is split in half according to color. The name of this variation comes from the notable fact that only the final turn is split. uncommon and irrational. They are hard to breed and grow poorly. The majority of people pass away in transit or in the initial months following arrival.
Snail breeders have seen interesting snails emerge in their private collections. They look similar to immaculata and panthers at the same time, but they also differ in a few ways. These snails have been given the name Achatina SP Cream for the time being.
Aspect | Details |
Common Name | Immaculate Giant African Snail |
Scientific Name | Achatina immaculata |
Size | Up to 30 cm (12 inches) |
Appearance | Large, smooth shell with a light, creamy color |
Habitat | Native to tropical forests in East Africa |
Diet | Herbivorous, feeds on leaves, fruits, and vegetables |
Behavior | Slow-moving, prefers moist environments |
Lifespan | Up to 5 years in captivity |
Care Tips | Provide a humid environment and a varied diet |
Achatina immaculata is an interesting species of land snail that requires little care and can add something special to your house or classroom. They are an excellent option for both novice and seasoned snail keepers due to their fascinating behaviors and comparatively low maintenance needs. These snails can flourish and lead long, healthy lives if given the proper conditions, food, and regular attention.
Even though Achatina immaculata are resilient in general, it’s crucial to keep a careful eye on their surroundings. Make sure the humidity and temperature are maintained appropriately, and that their enclosure is kept clean. This keeps your snails active and happy and helps prevent common health issues. To maintain shell health and general wellbeing, don’t forget to feed a balanced diet that includes fresh veggies and calcium sources.
All things considered, these snails are more than just house pets—they’re a fun way to learn about invertebrates and how to take care of them. Achatina immaculata can be a satisfying option if you’re searching for a quiet companion, a new hobby, or a project for school. Observing these gentle creatures grow and flourish under your care can be enjoyable if you take the appropriate approach.