Garden Snails!

[littlefoot3]

My little male veiled will be arriving next week, and so far on the menu I have crickets planned and then eventually dubias. I have a friend who has offered up snails from her garden after mentioning that they eat snails.

Should I be concerned about him eating snails from a garden as far as parasites, chemicals, anything, etc.? Will they be safe to use?

 

[pigglett79]

I wouldn't recommend feeding wild caught snails. They are very prone to having parasites. Many wild caught insects from pesticide free areas are OK, but I wouldn't chance snails.

 

[littlefoot3]

I wouldn't recommend feeding wild caught snails. They are very prone to having parasites. Many wild caught insects from pesticide free areas are OK, but I wouldn't chance snails.

Is pesticide the main concern? I don't believe she uses any. Her "garden" is mainly just a few herbs.

 

[pigglett79]

No parasites are the concern w snails. You could collect them and breed them though. If you separate the eggs in to their own clean container you can minimize the possibility of parasites.

 

[littlefoot3]

No parasites are the concern w snails. You could collect them and breed them though. If you separate the eggs in to their own clean container you can minimize the possibility of parasites.

That's not a bad idea!

I saw a thread awhile back on here about someone ordering snails and breeding them, but they had to get a permit and that seemed like more hassle then I had time to deal with. It might be worth my while to research and try it since I have some WC readily available. Thanks!

 

[pigglett79]

Here you go,

https://www.chameleonforums.com/snails-arrived-114158/

 

[littlefoot3]

Here you go,

https://www.chameleonforums.com/snails-arrived-114158/

Oh that was you!

Makes sense now haha, thanks!

 

[pigglett79]

Haha, yeah. I added a bunch of pics to the thread as they bred, of the eggs, and baby.

 

[deadhd5]

Do it! I love raising snails (as you may have surmised from the linked thread)

I consider them borderline pets

 

[littlefoot3]

I'm now concerned if I put that much time and energy into them that I may not have the heart to feed them to my little Derp haha. It's definitely an option though. When I get some more time and after I have his basic care routine down I'll definitely do some more research.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I'm now concerned if I put that much time and energy into them that I may not have the heart to feed them to my little Derp haha. It's definitely an option though. When I get some more time and after I have his basic care routine down I'll definitely do some more research.

I know exactly what you mean! I had a hard time making my snails food.
but i think its worth it, for the variety in prey. You may find this blog entry useful: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/133-snails.html

 

[littlefoot3]

I know exactly what you mean! I had a hard time making my snails food.
but i think its worth it, for the variety in prey. You may find this blog entry useful: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/133-snails.html

I've found many of your blog entries useful!

 

[JDumire]

I was thinking of breeding some snails too..if I can find any. Was wondering how long the gestation period is and how fast they grow?

 

[pigglett79]

I was thinking of breeding some snails too..if I can find any. Was wondering how long the gestation period is and how fast they grow?

They grow VERY slow. I purchased full grown adults, so I had eggs within a week or two and the snails hatch from the eggs within 2 weeks. But once they hatch it will take months for them to be to a feeding size for a small chameleon and about a year to be full grown. But if you spend the initial few month investment, you can have a constant cycle going after that.