One of the biggest land snails that you can keep as a pet is Achatina reticulata. It’s a favorite among snail enthusiasts because of its gentle nature and distinctive striped shell. In addition to being simple to care for, these fascinating animals provide a unique window into the world of invertebrates.
Achatina reticulata is an East African native that does well in warm, humid climates. They are a fascinating addition to any house because of their graceful, slow movements and inquisitive nature. Furthermore, they give your indoor space an exotic touch thanks to their size and striking appearance.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced snail keeper, understanding Achatina reticulata’s requirements and habits is essential to giving them a happy, healthy life. Let’s examine what makes this enormous snail unique and how to take care of it in your house.
Characteristic | Description |
Scientific Name | Achatina reticulata |
Origin | East Africa |
Size | Up to 20 cm in shell length |
Lifespan | 5-7 years |
Diet | Herbivorous, mainly fruits and vegetables |
Habitat | Humid environments, prefers warm temperatures |
Reproduction | Hermaphroditic, lays eggs |
Care Level | Easy, suitable for beginners |
Giant African land snails, or Achatina reticulata, are a common pet because of their remarkable size and distinctive appearance, which make them an interesting addition to any aquarium. These snails are low-maintenance yet rewarding for both novice and seasoned aquarists. They are easy to care for, needing only a humid environment, a balanced diet, and routine maintenance to flourish.
Description
Achatina reticulata is the second largest species of land snails, belonging to the gastropods of the family Achatinidae. A distinctive feature of this type is the structure of the outer side of the sink. If most representatives of Achatinidae have a smooth shell, then the shell of reticulata is ribbed and rough to the touch. The shell is cone-shaped, with 8 turns in adults, and can reach 17-20 cm. These large snails grow very quickly, and already at about 4-5 months the shell length can be 14-15 cm. The pointed apex is light in color, most often sandy or yellow. The shell color is beige with dark brown longitudinal stripes and spots. The shell structure is ribbed. The columella is colorless or white. In young individuals, the pattern on the shell has the shape of a zigzag. The body color of the Achatina Reticulata snail can vary from beige to light brown. The head is usually darker in color – from dark brown to black. Albino forms are also found. These snails are very inquisitive. Their mantle cover is not as sensitive as that of other Achatina, due to which retics are not afraid of touch. Achatina reticulata gets used to people quite quickly and becomes friendly and sociable. The natural habitat is the territory of East Africa – Zanzibar, Kenya, Tanzania.
Conditions of maintenance
- For Achatina reticulata, it is preferable to choose a horizontal terrarium with 15-20 liters per individual. The larger the snail"s home, the better.
- You can choose any of the permitted fillers as a filler. Coconut substrate is well suited.
- The soil layer should be at least 10-12 cm so that the mollusks feel good. As a supplement to it, use moss or fallen leaves of oak or birch. If you use mats, then the presence of moss or fallen leaves is mandatory.
- A comfortable temperature for Achatina reticulata is 25-28 ° C.
- Humidity in the terrarium must be maintained at 60-80%. It is noteworthy that such humidity is necessary for young individuals under 1 year of age years. For older snails, the humidity level must be reduced to 60-65%.
- Representatives of this species do not need hibernation.
Fulicas and Achatina reticulata get along well. There might be hybrids if albopictas and humans coexist. Additionally, you must exercise caution when adding them to immatures and panthers.
The maintenance needs of the Achatina Reticulata snail are not arbitrary. However, owners of this kind of Achatina ought to be aware of the following. The growth zone in individuals that are actively growing is both very large and delicate. Furthermore, when young reticulata fall, even from a small height, they easily break the growth.
It’s not advisable to place different hard decorations in the terrarium that contains baby snails.
Moss is a better choice for decoration because it will shield the mollusk from a failed fall. For the same reason, you should avoid handling young or developing snails in your hands as even the smallest mishandle could stunt their growth.
Nutrition
The diet of the Achatina Reticulata snail is simple. Members of this species consume every fruit and vegetable on the approved list. They particularly emphasize:
- zucchini,
- cucumbers,
- pumpkin,
- lettuce,
- sweet apples.
Supplements containing protein and calcium should receive special consideration. Calcium is provided to reticulata in a variety of forms, including mixes, pure calcium, and calcium porridge. Vegetables must be sprinkled with a calcium mixture and ground cereals before feeding, as these snails also enjoy eating them.
Achatina reticulata requires protein supplements because of its rapid growth. However, keep in mind that these snails have the ability to consume more protein supplements than is recommended. Furthermore, this kind of overindulgence results in edema.
You should follow the following ratios, progressively increasing the portion, to avoid this:
Give protein supplements to adults sparingly to prevent overeating, which can cause edema and the snail’s death.
All ages of snails require free access to calcium.
Reproduction
It takes these snails six to ten months to reach sexual maturity. Reticulata have two sexes. Fertilization can therefore happen in one partner or in both. Consequently, if both mated snails make clutches after two to three weeks, don’t be alarmed. Up to 300 oval-shaped, 6–8 mm, white or yellowish eggs can be found in a clutch.
The incubation period lasts up to one month at a temperature of 26–27C and a humidity of 70–80%. Young snails typically emerge after 2.5–3 weeks.
Achatina reticulata has a 7–10 year life expectancy in its natural habitat. These snails have a much shorter lifespan of two to three years when housed.
Subspecies
Achatina Reticulata is a species that can be further classified into multiple subspecies based on body color. The color and structure of the shell are nearly the same in all individuals, regardless of subspecies. It is possible for snails belonging to different subspecies to breed with one another, giving rise to individuals with distinct colors.
The snow-white body of Achatina reticulata albino is distinctive, and as it ages, the sole of the animal starts to turn yellow. Pheomelanin is the pigment responsible for this. The eyes’ pupils are nearly invisible and colorless. Albinos grow more slowly and are more susceptible to temperature changes.
Achatina reticulata light head, also known as Achatina reticulata light-headed, has a light brown head and a light cream or beige body. The eyes’ pupils are black.
Achatina reticulata black-headed, also known as dark-headed. The head of this subspecies is nearly black and the body is light in color. Even though the body of some people is darker than the head, this is still the case.
Even though young people may have very dark heads, they shouldn’t be automatically labeled as belonging to the black-headed subspecies. Reticulata may turn out to be normal standards rather than black-headed since they get lighter with age. Coal-black heads on adult reticulata are a relatively uncommon phenomenon.
I’ve written the conclusion as asked below:
Achatina reticulata is an intriguing snail species that can enhance the aesthetics and fascination of your aquarium. They are a striking addition to any tank because of their distinctive patterns and size. But providing for them needs close attention to detail, particularly when it comes to providing the proper environment and nutrition.
Even though they are fairly simple to maintain, it’s crucial to keep an eye on their growth and make sure they have enough room to flourish. For them to remain healthy, regular cleaning and appropriate humidity levels are essential.
Achatina reticulata may be the ideal pet for you if you’re searching for something engaging and low-maintenance. These snails can live long, healthy lives and give your aquarium a distinctive touch if given the right care.