Breeding Giant African Land Snails (Achatina Sp.)

Breeding land snails is very easy. In fact, for some, it can become a bit of a problem having so many eggs...which can leave you stuck with so many young!

Snails are hermaphrodites, which means they possess both male and female sex organs. They have a rather odd way of mating; males will develop a large white bulge on the side of his head, which can look like some kind of growth. This will be filled with sperm, which he will inject into the female upon mating. To get the snails to mate requires no input at all...when they are ready, they will do it!

Eggs are laid deep in the soil, usually on the bottom of the enclosure. They are white/yellow in colour, with a very hard shell. They are laid in large clumps, of up to several hundred. Now you can see why people may have a little problem when they all hatch ;) Some people leave them in the enclosure, but some remove them. If you decide to remove them, keep them in the same conditions as the enclosure was kept in, considering you want to hatch them that is. If you do rehouse the eggs, submerge them in soil or peat, like they were originally. Keep them moist, and warm...and in 2-3 weeks, you will see lots of little baby african land snails!

They will soon latch on to the idea of feeding, if you put some lettuce leaves in, you will soon notice lots of tiny little holes which have been nibbled out. The care of the young is much like the adults, and calcium is a must, so put a nice large piece of cuttle fish in for the young.