African Land Snails

[PlecMama]

I just had my ALS's out, aww how cute are they?

We bought them as teeny babies and they are just getting big enough now to come out exploring. They used to retreat in their shells whenever you touched them up until now, but the past week they have been coming out looking when you put food in, so tonight I sat with their lid off and let them come out and have a walk (slime) around.

You know, I have never actually seen a snail "look" at something with the same degree of interest that the ALS do, ordinary garden snails just have sticky up eyes that usually just bump on things and go in then come back out again, but the ALS's actually "look at what they're eating, they bend their eyes down in a curve to study it before they eat it.

Who knew snails could be actually interested in anything, I really just thought they went about their business being snails.

 

[KathyM]

Another GAL owner - fantastic! I have a few here (including some rescues I'm rehabilitating for rehoming). What species are yours? We have three margies (one of them is white fleshed), 8 fulicas, 2 albopictas and one iredalei.

This is their website *lol*: http/landsnails.mypetpages.net/

I need to update it a bit and put the rescues' pictures up. Here are some of the rescues:

 

[pica_nuttalli]

gah! you have no idea how badly i want one... stupid temperate climate and large agricultural base... they're totally out-lawed in the US.

 

[KathyM]

It's not fair is it? they make such fab pets.

 

[KathyM]

Hey well - bit of news for you. My white fleshed margie (Boo) has laid eggs today Chances are Sherman's the daddy, but she could've held these in from her past tankmate, another white fleshed. Either way they're going to be very striking babies as they're both pale compared to "normal" margies like Vernon.

 

[PlecMama]

Mine look just like all the ones in that picture, if those are different types, I can't see it they are just snails to us

They had one on his own at my son's old nursery which he liked so we bought them for him but so far they have been so small, he hasn't been able to even hold one. I am glad ours are growing up *eventually*!

 

[Opcn]

Its not unfair its important, People have proven again and again that they think its more important to have a heart than to do whats best for the environment, so they let the snails out and then they destroy crops and outcompete natives and Make hundreds of people sick, and kill some too.

 

[Synirr]

Opcn, I think what pica_nuttalli meant is that it's unfair that the fun of responsible pet owners is ruined by the irresponsibility of others... it's like holding the whole kindergarten class back from recess because a handful of kids did something wrong (ugh, I hated that!) It is very unfair to those of us who would never even think of releasing these animals. Kinda like how I want snakeheads SO FREAKIN' BAD and all species are outlawed in the US just because of the danger red snakeheads pose to our wilds. Admittedly, reds are the ones I'd like to have the most, but I'd certainly settle for one of the smaller species if allowed to

 

[pica_nuttalli]

really! you've hurt my feelings, doubting my intellectual awareness like that... i fully appreciate the trouble that a few misplaced intentions can cause. this is why i've not tried to smuggle any GLS into the states what if i accidentally got a preggie female? i don't think that i'd have the heart to smush that many eggs.

 

[KathyM]

Its not unfair its important, People have proven again and again that they think its more important to have a heart than to do whats best for the environment, so they let the snails out and then they destroy crops and outcompete natives and Make hundreds of people sick, and kill some too.

To be fair that isn't what either of us meant. And it isn't really fair that a responsible majority miss out on owning such a fantastic pet because of the ignorance of a few. It's necessary obviously, but it isn't fair.

Both in the States and over here we have a massive problem with latchkey dogs, stray cats and even bunnies let out to fend for themselves. They all cause massive problems for the majority but we don't outlaw the keeping of companion animals to prevent it.

 

[Synirr]

Lol KathyM, you make a good point. Feral cats are a huge problem in Australia but you don't see anybody outlawing them; same goes for rabbits