Achatina snails are often chosen for the role of pets. Having decided to settle these giant mollusks in the apartment, you should definitely understand the issue of their placement and choose the right aquarium for them.
Capacity selection
Terrarium for Achatina snails is necessary, since in nature creatures live in warm areas, and therefore temperature fluctuations can be fatal for them. An aquarium or a container allows you to maintain a stable atmosphere. Usually, for Achatina, either a standard fish tank, a reptile terrarium, or a regular plastic container is purchasedhaving transparent walls and a removable lid. The terrarium is considered to be the most convenient, but aquarium tanks will provide the necessary temperature and ventilation. The tank must have such a volume so that at least 15 liters of free space fall on one individual.
Moreover, it will be necessary to consider that Achatina grows over time and an aquarium too small can become cramped after a certain interval.
The lid must have openings that provide the necessary ventilation, without which the snails will die. In general, 3 it will not be possible to do without shelter, since the pets may well escape. The optimal size is considered capacity, the length and width of which is at least 30 centimeters, and the height ranges from 17 to 22 centimeters. A round fish tank for Achatina is not welcome. In general, the more spacious the tank turns out to be, the more comfortable it will be for pets.
For a newly born clam, you can use a regular food container, and after some time already transplant it into a 15-liter tank. Do not take a container of a vertical type - it should be wide, but not high. Otherwise, snails crawling onto the roof run the risk of falling apart and being seriously injured.
However, a height below 17 centimeters is not considered successful, as an adult can become crowded in it or it just gets stuck while moving.
The main materials for the home of snails are plastic and glass. But experts do not really advise taking glass containers. Achatina snail is fragile, and a shell falling onto a hard surface can be fatal to it. The constant interaction of the shell and the walls of the tank of an already grown creature is not particularly comfortable. In addition, the glass slides, and the adult will experience stress from the constant sliding off the walls. The severity of the tank itself complicates the cleaning process. Of course, glass is an environmentally friendly material that keeps clean longer, but the number of minuses alone does not outweigh this advantage.
Plastic is much more convenient to use. The lightness of the container allows it to be installed in any selected place, quickly cleaned and moved in space.
A snail will not damage a sink if it falls, especially if there is soil at the bottom. Of the minuses of plastic, one can distinguish less environmental friendliness and not so aesthetic appearance. If a container is chosen as the home of Achatina, then it must necessarily be food.
This can be determined by the presence of the designation "for food" and the placement of a special sign on the bottom of the container. The lid should close tightly, ideally with latches. It is important that the insides are free from any sharp corners, edges or joints. All sharp fragments are pre-cut and processed with sandpaper. And of course, it is better to choose transparent plastic - and the snail will become more comfortable, and the owner will be able to watch his pet at any time.
How to make ventilation?
Achatines need moisture and a constant supply of fresh air for growth and development, which also reduces the likelihood of mold, rot and disease. Do-it-yourself ventilation system is not difficult to organize - It is quite simple to drill holes in the container on the roof and sidewalls. The holes should be positioned correctly so that on the one hand they are located in the upper part, and on the other in the lower part. As a result, the temperature inside the tank should be in the range of 24 to 27 degrees Celsius. The holes should not be too large, since a wide diameter threatens excessive evaporation, and hence a change in humidity.
The easiest way to pierce holes is with a conventional awl, preheated over a gas stove. You should focus on the hole, the diameter of which will be 3 millimeters.
As a rule, for a 15-liter tank on the lid you will need to make 15-20 holes. The edges of the holes are necessarily sanded. A pair of holes on each side will be enough for the sidewalls. If too many holes were made during the process, then the excess can be closed with any dense fabric, which will additionally create a shady corner in the tank.
To monitor the level of humidity and temperature in the tank, experts recommend placing a thermometer and a hygrometer inside. As mentioned above, the temperature should range from 25 to 27 degrees. The humidity level is recommended to be kept within 75-90%. From time to time, it makes sense to slightly moisten the soil, as well as spray the inside of the walls.
What soil is needed?
The choice of soil mix should be carried out in such a way that the snails feel comfortable in an artificially created environment.In addition, the soil is responsible for maintaining the required moisture level, as well as the opportunity for snails to relax, burrowing into the soil. The soil options for snails are numerous. Coconut substrate is one of the most popular aquarium design solutions. It has an affordable price, does not stain the walls of the tank, which preserves the aesthetic appearance of the latter, and also retains moisture.
Peat is also considered an affordable but effective option that preserves moisture. The only condition is that in a pure version it should not be used.
Moss works well - it works to maintain the required level of humidity and does not allow midges to develop. Ordinary soil for planting flowers and plants, in principle, can be used, but only if the composition is safe for Achatina and does not contain harmful chemicals or impurities. Additionally, leaves can be placed on top of the soil, which the snails use as bedding for resting.
It is strictly forbidden to use sand - it not only injures the body of the mollusk, but also clogs its esophagus. Sawdust is quite dangerous for the same reason. Hard stones can cause a pet to die if it crawls up the wall and breaks.
Forest soil is usually saturated with microbes, bacteria and even worms, which are dangerous for Achatina.
In principle, you can try to disinfect it first, but even in this case, a sad ending remains very likely. Having cleared the soil mixture from the remains of plants and roots, it will be required to soak for half an hour in an oven, heated to maximum temperature.
Home decoration
The design of the “house” of mollusks occurs with the help of plants, both living and artificial, as well as various decorative elements. The latter must be made of natural materials that are environmentally friendly to the health of the pet. Besides, it is important that there are no sharp edges and surfaces that cause mollusk injuries.
Plants and accessories
The design of the tank with snails allows you to implement numerous creative ideas of the owners. You can decorate the space with a variety of branches, snags and cones, combined into unusual compositions. Components must be decontaminated if it is a matter of personally assembled objects, or simply purchased in a specialized store. You can equip the tank with the use of beautiful moss - either decorative or forest. Again, that moss, which is collected independently, must first be soaked for half a day in cool water, then doused with boiling water and finally placed on top of the ground.
Making a terrarium is easy, if you use a variety of ivy, ferns or juveniles.
Live variations are likely to be quickly nibbled by Achatina, so artificial versions are recommended for long-term use. Choosing the components of the decor, it is important to abandon hard and solid objects. Well placed as a decor and half a coconut. We must not forget that the arrangement of the "home" is impossible without placing a special bowl with clean water. Since snails prefer to swim in it, the tank should be taken medium in size and has significant stability.
In the aquarium, it is not recommended to use stones, grottoes created from clay, or decorative shells. All of these materials can damage the soft body of the mollusk, or even the shell.
Shelters are not needed for these creatures, so excessive decor is likely to harm. From plants, experts recommend choosing succulents that look extremely stylish, but do not require any special care. Plants have a solid stem, which the Achatina will not be able to break. You can plant leaf lettuce or pre-germinated wheat grains in the aquarium.Of course, after some time the snails will eat them, but a certain period of time will still be able to enjoy the unusual design.
Where to put?
The snail tank is usually placed in the dark part of the room where the sun does not fall. Exposure to the sun can lead not only to a violation of the required level of humidity inside, but also to overheating of the creatures themselves and their further illness and death. It is important to ensure that the aquarium is located away from drafts or batteries. The container must be firmly fixed in the selected place, and also protected from pets. General cleaning will have to be done at least once every couple of weeks, so access to the tank will have to be left simple. For cleaning, it is required to use the most safe means, devoid of chemical components that are harmful to the health of Achatina.
How to equip a terrarium for a snail, see below.
