General Chat

Interesting posts! We've waited for a week for our baby snails to arrive but we still don't have any. The ebay seller was ill at the start of the week, so was asking her mum to post them. I wondered whether it'd be better to ask for a refund and get some elsewhere. My husband is a biology teacher, so he's all for them. Having cleaned out poultry, guinea pigs I'm prepared for the worst. Louise

Louisewe had them for about 5 years but they didnt come out of hibernation this year! Caz xxxxxxxx

They've got to be better than the Giant Congo Millepedes we had for a while! Older daughter bought them and my husband made them a special case to live in. We followed instructions but found they varied according to books and websites. The odd thing is that when you see them on nature programmes they are dashing about up in trees..........if you get them as pets and they climb more than a few inches high they tend to fall and die! Husband reduced the height of their cage after one had committed suicide! They are slightly toxic to handle so I never did and they are not exactly beautiful. They didn't survive for long so we then tried the Australian Giant spiny stick insects. Those are very successful........but remove the eggs or months later you will have hundreds of them! Good luck (My daughter was also really keen on little beasties from the garden and used to collect woodlice when she was small..........she's now doing a Masters Degree in Paleoanthropology......so it is worth encouraging their interests!) Sue

eeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhh Just googled images and didnt like what I saw. I am sure they will give you much pleasure if you are into that sort of thing LOL

All I can say is; Good luck! We had them at college, and they were the worst ever thing to clear out. They stink to high hell, and you have to clear out the snail eggs of a regular bases, otherwise you'll have thousands within a few days of seeing the eggs. Not a pet for the light hearted.

so how big is giant in snail terms???

If you don't keep them moist, they go to sleep. And they can sleep for months...seemingly without any harm coming to them! I thought ours had died but gave him a good spraying and Hey Presto! he came out of his shell!! Sue.

The 2 my Grandchildren had, grew quickly. They even laid eggs, but eggs never hatched! They used to have to spray the compost every day to keep it moist.

Thanks for all of the replies. We're getting fed up with waiting for them to arrive. The seller was paid on Sunday and we've still not received them. My daughters are driving me potty asking whether they've arrived yet. I'm sure they'll be fascinating. Louise

Remembering my Hannibal with particular fondness now you've put this thread up. He lived in a tank on the kitchen worktop and he did have a heat pad. Must have been about 4 years old when he died. He came to us from my daughter's step sister who was not allowed by her Mum to keep him, but he was great fun in his own snaily way and I'd have some more if Mr Medlock would let me. Hope your daughter has fun with hers. Sheila

Also make sure the lid is secure!!

And if you think one has escaped, it's probably hanging upside down from the lid of the aqurium!! lol Kim

Er yes one tip, be careful how you pick them up !! Their shells grow constantly & are very soft on the outside edge, lol !!! :0) Joan

My daughter says they like Cucumber, they are quite easy to keep but they prefer to be kept fairly warm but you dont have to have a heat light.

My six year old daughter is a budding biologist and is often seen rescuing slug and snail eggs, giving them a new home in a jam jar or her pocket. We've ordered baby Giant African Land Snails, so that we know where they are and that she can do the whole 'snail' thing properly. I must be mad, just won't tell my dad who's a landscape gardener!! We've bought a plastic aquarium/ compost and cuttlefish and are just awaiting the sprogs. Does anyone else keep them? Louise