Achatina snails at home: What they look like, structure, facts

Achatina snails, commonly referred to as giant African land snails, are unusual and low-maintenance pets that are fascinating to watch. They add a touch of exotica to any home with their striking spiral shells and enormous size. However, what distinguishes these snails from other species, and how do they look?

Large, elongated shells with stripes or other markings ranging in color from light brown to deep shades are the hallmark of these snails. Their bodies are moist and soft, and they have two long, retractable tentacles that allow them to explore their environment. Achatina snails are among the largest land snails in the world; they are soft, slow-moving animals that can reach up to 8 inches in length.

Beyond appearance, Achatina snails have some unexpected characteristics. For example, these snails can lay hundreds of eggs in a single batch because they are hermaphrodites, meaning that each one has both male and female reproductive organs. They are renowned for having long lifespans; given the right care, they can live up to ten years or longer. These snails are a delightful addition to any home because they are not only easy to maintain but also have a calming presence.

Aspect Description
Appearance Achatina snails have a large spiral shell, usually brown with darker stripes, and a soft, moist body that is mostly gray or beige.
Size They can grow up to 20 cm in length, making them one of the largest land snails in the world.
Habitat Originally from Africa, they are kept as pets in terrariums with warm, humid conditions.
Diet They eat fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens, and need a calcium source to maintain a healthy shell.
Behavior Achatina snails are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They move slowly and enjoy burrowing into the soil.
Reproduction They are hermaphrodites, which means each snail has both male and female reproductive organs and can lay eggs.
Interesting Fact These snails can live up to 10 years in captivity with proper care.

What does Achatina look like

The African continent is home to the Achatina gastropods. They are not to be mistaken for anyone. Among terrestrial gastropods, these are true elephants. They are capable of enormous sizes. These creatures can also be identified by their exquisite shell, which has many curls. There are numerous species and subspecies of them, and each one has unique traits in terms of personality, behavior, and body and shell color. Every Achatina has a similar and basic body structure.

  • shell;
  • head;
  • body.

The snail’s large, exquisite, pointed shell is its most beautiful feature. Every internal organ of the animal is shielded by it. Depending on the species, the house may have multiple colors and eight or nine curls. There are two pairs of horns and a mouth on the mollusk’s head. Small eyes are formed by one pair of large upper horns at the end. The sense organs are located in the lower horns.

Please feel free to ask questions and leave comments on the article. The ones that are most fascinating will be covered in our FAQ section.

Structure and organs

Their ability to rapidly regenerate lost organs and tissues is their primary advantage over other animals, despite their anatomical structure being simpler.

Internal structure of the snail:

1. Shell 13. Sexual period
2. Liver 14. Penis
3. Lung 15. Vagina
4. Anus 16. Mucus gland
5. Respiratory system 17. Falling tube
6. Eye 18. Sac arrows
7. tentacles 19. Leg
8. Cerebral ganglion 20. Stomach
9. Radula 21. Kidney
10. Mouth 22. Mantle
11. Croup 23. Heart
12. Salivary gland 24. Efferent vessel

Shell

Because the shell is composed of calcium and organic materials, it provides dependable protection for the area of the body that houses the internal organs. Additionally, it protects the animal from drying out and outside threats. The shell is shaped like a spiral and has seven to ten curls. The biggest people can have up to fifteen curls. In essence, the shell has a clockwise twist. It is very uncommon to find shells that are twisted the other way.

Achatina shells are thinner and more transparent in humid environments. People who inhabit arid regions can take pride in having a robust and heavy shell.

The Achatina snail’s shell is composed of multiple layers:

  1. Outer layer: This is a hard and durable layer that is formed from calcium and other minerals. It serves to protect the soft body of the snail from external factors.
  2. Middle layer: This layer consists of protein fibers that give the shell strength and flexibility.
  3. Inner layer: This is the layer that is closer to the snail"s body. It consists of protein substances and serves to provide strength and support for the shell.

The snail grows along with its shell. The mollusk grows and develops by gradually thickening its shell and adding new layers.

Respiratory system

The mantle cavity gave rise to one lung in the animal. The edge of the shell has a breathing hole that it uses to take in air. Achatina’s skin allows it to breathe as well.

Heart

  • heart,
  • open circulatory system.

The walls of the heart are made of muscle. Its function is to pump blood into the blood vessels in a rhythmic manner. The heart pumps blood to the furthest reaches of the body with such force and rhythm that it is literally pumping energy. The heart’s circulatory system consists of the left and right coronary arteries, which branch off from the aorta to provide oxygen to the heart.

Digestive system

  • mouth;
  • teeth;
  • salivary glands;
  • pharynx;
  • esophagus;
  • stomach;
  • liver;
  • intestines;
  • anus.

Food enters the mouth, is crushed, gets wet from saliva, travels down the pharynx and esophagus, enters the crop, and finally exits into the small intestine. When it finally makes it through the intestines, it is digested. Food remnants are expelled via the anus, which is situated beneath the shell on the side.

Mouth and teeth

Achatina snails have their mouths on the front of their heads. It is typically found in the middle of the snail’s movable "foot," which it uses to propel itself about. Four paired tentacles, two of which are longer and have eyes at the ends, typically encircle Achatina’s mouth. The snail uses its tentacles to sense its surroundings and locate food.

When food enters the mouth, it is ground by the radula, a unique kind of "grater" made up of tiny teeth. They are set up in a row of one hundred pieces. An amazing fact about snails is that they can have up to 25,000 teeth!

In addition, the radula functions as a tongue by forcing food down the throat.

Nervous system

Within the head is a tiny brain. The brain is in charge of the scattered-nodular nervous system found in gastropods. The edges of the leg and sole, as well as the front of the animal, are home to the majority of the nerve endings.

  • eyes;
  • organs of touch,
  • edges of the mantle.

Motor system

The leg and the sole make up the major portion of the body that is not enclosed by a shell. Mollusks use these organs of movement to help them move on a variety of surfaces, much like a suction cup. They also aid animals in perceiving their surroundings. Mucus secreted by the sole smoothes uneven surfaces and promotes painless, smooth movement. If snails didn’t have this mucus, which functions as a lubricant, they would quickly hurt their fragile bodies.

Sensory organs

Eyes

The Achatina has two sets of movable horns on its head. The olfactory organs are represented by the lower horns and the eyes by the tiny beads on the tips of the upper horns. Within 1-3 cm, the outlines of objects are discernible to the eye.

In addition to their blind eyes, snails use photosensitive body cells to guide them through space. They have a significant impact on how well-lit the objects in the immediate vicinity are. They dislike intense lighting. They thus attempt to hide from the sun by burrowing into the ground, hiding beneath twigs, or hiding in foliage.

Tinging organs

Little lower horns that function as the nose have a significant role in Achatin’s life. It is challenging for them to locate food and evaluate the litter’s condition without them. These horns make up for the snail’s lack of hearing organs, which are absent. Additionally, there are tiny tubercles at the tips of the sole’s tentacles and the front of the body that are capable of identifying objects based on their structure, shape, and smell. Thus, the scents of gasoline, snail acetone, and possible food can be detected at a distance of 4 cm and 2 meters, respectively.

Dimensions

It is thought that achatina are the biggest land snails. The size at which they can grow is of interest to many people. Their eggs have a diameter of up to 5 mm. Hatched babies typically grow to a length of 15 cm and grow very quickly. There are very large individuals in the wild or under ideal conditions; they can grow up to 25 cm in length, and their shell can reach 30 cm.

Table of snail growth by month:
Month Size
1 month. 1 – 3 cm
2 months. 2 – 7 cm
3 months. 3 – 10 cm
4 months. 4 – 10 cm
5-12 months. 5 – 14 cm
1 year reach maximum growth and stop growing

Achatina snails add a distinct charm to any home aquarium and are fascinating, low-maintenance pets. These snails, which have a characteristic spiral shell and can reach a length of 20 centimeters, are well-known for their enormous size. They are fascinating to watch and offer a natural means of maintaining the cleanliness of your tank because of their slow motion and kind disposition. By becoming knowledgeable about these snails’ straightforward structure, fascinating habits, and special requirements, you can provide an environment that will allow them to flourish and grow to be a delightful addition to your aquatic life.

Weight

When at their largest, Achatina weigh between 300 and 500 grams.

Behavior

Achatina animals come out at night in all varieties. They can only crawl out during the day in cloudy, damp weather. After an hour, they are able to recall what they did and go back to the locations where they found food.

Older people prefer to hide in isolated areas and only crawl out of their shelters in search of food. Young people, on the other hand, are more fearless and agile. Achatina can identify their owner with perfect clarity, respond to him, and freely crawl on his hands.

In our section on Maintenance and Care, you can find out how to handle and take care of these adorable animals.

Historical data

The equatorial region of East Africa serves as Achatina’s habitat. They relocated to Madagascar, the Seychelles, India, and Sri Lanka with human assistance. Within ten years, they had taken over the whole of Indochina.

Within a few months of their arrival in the United States, they had destroyed the majority of Florida’s agricultural land. Every force was directed toward their demise. As a result, it is forbidden to import Achatina into the United States of America and keep them as pets. Ban violators risk a steep fine and a five-year prison sentence.

Taiwan and India have encountered similar issues. Each year, millions of snails are destroyed by Indians. Nonetheless, the people living in these nations started to enjoy eating them and created a variety of dishes. Achatina soup is a well-liked treatment for lung conditions in India.

For those who value their quiet, understated charm, achatena snails can make unusual and low-maintenance pets. They are fascinating creatures. These snails stand out in any terrarium thanks to their unusual spiral shells and soft, elongated bodies, which give your home a touch of exoticism.

Achatina snails have a few intriguing traits that go beyond their appearance. They are renowned for their size; some species can reach lengths of up to 20 cm. They possess the amazing capacity to regenerate their shells as well as other damaged body parts. They are calming to watch because of their leisurely pace and serene disposition, especially for people seeking a pet that needs little attention.

Achatina snail maintenance is comparatively easy. To thrive, they require a well-kept habitat with the ideal humidity, temperature, and substrate. It will keep them happy and healthy to provide them with sources of calcium, clean water, and a balanced diet. These snails make wonderful pets for both novices and experienced keepers, as they can live for several years with proper care.

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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