What diseases are transmitted from Akhata snails. Achatina are ideal pets. How to prevent this situation

Giant snail Achatina is the largest land mollusk on Earth August 5th, 2013

Giant snail Akhatina (lat.Achatina fulica) is the largest land mollusk. Since the end of the 18th century, these huge (up to 30cm) snails have spread widely across the tropical and subtropical latitudes of the planet.

On the African continent, as well as in the forests of Southeast Asia, where these African snails now live, after they were brought here, they live on tree trunks. Young people are harmless and very useful achatina - they eat rotting plant parts. Adults achatina harm most cultivated plants, especially bananas and citrus fruits.

Now achatina brought to many countries. They are grown in terrariums as well as in gardens. They are also eaten in some countries. Snails were brought to France in 1977 achatina in the amount of 3 million dollars. Breeding achatina successfully contributes to its hyperfertility and rapid growth.

Let's find out more about them ...

Achatina is a whole group of terrestrial gastropods, representatives of the genus Achatina. Only a specialist can distinguish between representatives of this genus, so usually amateurs do not attach much importance to what kind of species they contain, especially since the biology of all these species does not differ much. This genus includes the largest terrestrial mollusks.

The shell of the Achatina can reach a length of up to 25 cm, and the body - up to 30 cm. The size of the snail directly depends on the conditions of detention - in a favorable tropical climate, "monsters" weighing 300-400 grams grow. The size of the snail depends on whether it participates in reproduction, therefore, if you want to grow a giant, you will have to attend to not only maintaining the proper climate and buying a large terrarium, but also the fact that you will need to grow it alone - actively breeding snails do not grow to large sizes.

Usually, where Achatina appears, people begin to experience difficulties with it, or rather, with its extermination. All this is due to the fact that the snail is truly all-devouring and multiplying extremely rapidly. By the way, in the USA (in all seriousness) the snail is considered a national disaster, because at one point, these snails multiplied so much in one of the states that they ate almost everything that got in their way - bark on trees, crops and even plaster on houses (snails need calcium to build shells). People who breed Achatina in the USA face a prison term (probably, there are no such people there;).

However, in Russia, Achatina does not survive in natural conditions, and keeping her at home is not dangerous. Therefore, recently there has been an increase in the "livestock" of domestic Achatina. In fact, these snails are, in a way, the ideal pet.

A small terrarium (aquarium) with a small amount of soil is enough to keep Achatina. In the terrarium, you need to maintain a warm, humid climate (25-28 degrees). However, it is not necessary to heat the terrarium: snails also perfectly tolerate room temperature, but their agility is slightly reduced and they sleep more often. Periodically, you need to moisten the walls of the terrarium and the soil with a regular flower sprayer: snails drink water from the walls of the terrarium, licking the drops.

Achatins eat almost everything they give. Vegetables, fruits, porridge, mushrooms, meat, fish, poultry. They do not disdain various stubs and scraps. It is almost impossible to overfeed Achatina - the snail itself stops eating when it is full. It is enough to feed a young Achatina once a day, and an adult even less often: a couple of times a week. Also, in addition to feed, young animals need to be given calcium: ground eggshells are best suited for this. After the Achatina is satiated, it is necessary to remove the remnants of food so that they do not start to rot. Interestingly, the snail will not eat food that does not suit it or which it can poison.

Achatina, as a rule, are extremely fond of cucumbers. Also, rarely give up carrots and cabbage. They eat bananas and apples, but not all varieties (which ones, you have to experiment). Some Achatins (specifically, ours - for sure) eat bell peppers, and in such a way that "it bursts behind the ears." It is advisable to feed Achatina with everything that she eats, periodically alternate foods and not give any type of food preference.

Achatina does not create any odors. Even her excrement doesn't smell. She can see objects from a short distance, because it has eyes on the retractable horns. Achatina do not like bright light (especially direct sunlight), so do not overdo it with terrarium lighting. But Achatina's hearing is not very good: it simply does not exist. However, this can hardly be called a special drawback. But with the Achatina's sense of smell, everything is in order: they smell food far enough - at a distance of up to two meters!

Achatina are nocturnal animals and during the day they usually sleep, buried in the ground. In the evening, they wake up and begin to look for food, actively climbing the terrarium. If the conditions in the terrarium are unfavorable (not humid enough, there is no food) Achatina can "seal" into the sink, creating a cover, and sleep for a very long time. Thus, it is quite possible to leave Achatina for a couple of months without any care (two months is considered a completely normal period). Before the long-term absence of the owners, it is recommended to "manually" create conditions for the "sealing" of the Achatina - change the soil in the terrarium to completely dry and do not give any food - then the snails will fall asleep pretty soon. To awaken Achatina, it is enough to substitute it under a stream of warm water. In just a few minutes, the snail will squeeze out the lid and be born. Very hungry!

When breeding Achatina, apparently, there are no problems at all. The person who gave my friend a snail admitted that he had become a “breeder” without knowing it. Say, there were two snails in the aquarium. And he looked in once - there is already ten sitting there. And ten - it is said quite modestly, tk. one Achatina is capable of laying 100-200 eggs, of which about half survive. At the same time, juveniles appear after 2-3 weeks, and after 1.5 months the juveniles become adults. It can be seen from this that snails are capable of reproducing at a simply gigantic rate and it becomes clear why they are a disaster in countries with a climate favorable for their life.

It's funny that if you feed Achatina with bright vegetables (for example, varieties of sweet pepper), its shell acquires the shade of that very vegetable during growth. Thus, it is possible to regulate the appearance of the shell by feeding the Achatina first with one variety of pepper (for example, red) and then with another (green). There is information that not all Achatina eat peppers, but ours eats unambiguously - therefore, I am telling this.

Because Achatina is nocturnal, she is not averse to rustling around the terrarium at night - then you can hear her body rubbing against the walls or how she tinkles with her shell on the glass (if the terrarium is glass). When frightened, the snail is abruptly pulled into the shell and then you can hear a squeak. These are, perhaps, all the sounds that Achatina can make.

In conditions of captivity, Achatina live for 7-10 years - that is, in this regard, they are not inferior to other domestic animals. In addition, Achatina do not bite.

Thus, Achatina are just wonderful pets who know their owners, are extremely unpretentious, do not bark or meow at the whole house, have no smell and do not cause allergies.

Achatina has been shown to have a long-term memory: they can remember the location of food sources and return to them. Young individuals are more mobile and cover long distances during the day, and are also capable of long-distance migrations. Usually they do not return to the same place to stay. Old snails, on the other hand, have a place where they prefer to rest and from where they crawl out in search of food, not moving more than 5 meters away. When you transfer snails to a resting place of another Achatina (within 30 meters), they still return to their own.

25/01/2017, 11:00

We hope that this article will help those who are thinking about purchasing giant African snails (Achatina). These are truly wonderful pets!
However, in some countries it is illegal to keep Achatin at home (for example, in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan), so check the laws of your country before buying.

Are they dangerous? - No, but as with many other animals, owners need to take some precautions, namely to get vaccinated against meningitis. living in an aquarium are completely dependent on you. They have no teeth or claws, they cannot run fast, and they cannot injure anyone. Therefore, they make wonderful pets for children and for those who do not have free time to care for more "traditional" animals.
Why does Achatina have such a negative image in the media? “It’s a combination of ignorance and sensationalism. The same applies, for example, to pit bulls: thanks to the efforts of the media, most people perceive them as extremely dangerous creatures, but more often than not this is completely wrong.

Why do people get Achatina?
These are excellent pets for people of all ages. They are also suitable for children, but it is necessary to control the interaction between the child and the snail (this is necessary for the safety of the snail!).

• they take up little space and are inexpensive;
• achatins do not bite, do not scratch and generally cannot cause any physical harm to a person;
• adult snails can be handled;
• the average life expectancy of snails is 5-7 years, and some even live up to 10;
• the giant African snails are very interesting to watch;
• these are exotic and unusual pets, which at the same time do not require special equipment, such as, for example, reptiles;
• achatina are inexpensive;
• these are nocturnal animals that do not make noise;
• an aquarium with 1-2 snails needs to be cleaned only once every 3-4 weeks;
• an adult snail can reach 25 cm in length;
• for them, you can create a very beautiful and stylish aquarium that will decorate your home;
• there are many subspecies of Achatina: different sizes, colors, patterns, etc.;
• giant African snails can be kept singly, in groups or in pairs;
• they do not need to be trained;
• achatina very rarely get sick, so visits to the veterinarian are not required.

Achatina and ecosystem

You may have read horror stories in the media that giant snails are destroying our ecosystem, spoiling crops, kidnapping children right from bed and stealing salad from supermarkets.

All this negative refers not specifically to the Achatina, but to most species of snails and insects. People use insecticides in the garden because insects kill plants. Achatina is no different in this sense from ordinary garden snails, they are just much larger and more noticeable, therefore, they are easier to blame. To survive, snails must eat, and they eat plants.

As with other pets, snails have irresponsible owners who simply let them out into the street. This is illegal in most countries.

But you can be absolutely calm: the Achatins living in your house will not slip out of the aquarium at night to destroy the ecosystem and calmly return to their place in the morning.

However, it is highly recommended to get vaccinated against meningitis before starting Achatina. Do not be alarmed: most often, meningitis is caused by those who ate wild snails in a restaurant. In other words, it takes a combination of three factors to get snail meningitis. A person must: a. be unvaccinated; b. eat a snail; from. he must be very unlucky.

And don't forget: Cat owners, for example, are at a much greater risk of injury. Cat bites often cause blood poisoning, tetanus, bacterial infections, and more. The same goes for scratches. Snails do not bite or scratch.

The naked truth

Giant African snails are great pets for anyone who is not too lazy to gather the necessary information and take proper care of them. As with any other animal, there are rules for keeping snails, recommendations and a list of necessary accessories. They are much safer than regular garden snails in terms of infection transmission.

Yes, they can be dangerous to the ecosystem. Yes, Achatina are hermaphrodites and can reproduce uncontrollably. Yes, they are big and eat a lot. But any reasonable person can control these factors. Snails need food, water and a suitable air temperature. Check the tank for new eggs every few days. It is recommended to close the aquarium tightly. And everything will be fine!

Let's compare the potential risk from snails with the damage that other pets can cause.
Dogs bite - sometimes this leads to hospitalization and even death. They also carry infections such as tetanus, rabies, etc. Cats are carriers of toxoplasmosis, worms and other diseases. ... Ferrets bite and kill small animals.

However, all these animals are kept at home. Therefore, do not let them intimidate you with all the negativity that pours from the pages of the press about small harmless snails.

Exotic pets are becoming more and more popular every day. One of the most unpretentious of their species are Achatina - huge snails, perhaps the largest of the mollusks. Unlike their closest relatives, the Achatina snails are quite smart and intelligent. They may even have conditioned reflexes. These mollusks quickly get used to their owner and can distinguish him from strangers, while they do not require much attention and special food.

Initially, the Achatins lived only in Africa, gradually thanks to man, they spread to other regions. For example, in Japan they were grown on special farms and then eaten. In Southeast Asia, many African countries and even America, Achatina are considered pests. They cause considerable damage to reed crops, because of them young trees and other plant crops die. Giant snails can even nibble on plaster from houses in order to obtain the substance necessary for the shell to grow. In Russia, in natural conditions, the Achatins are not able to survive, because of the climate that is too harsh for them. Therefore, giant snails in our region can only be found as pets.

African snail Achatina - structural features

Achatina is the largest among land molluscs. Its shell can be up to twenty-five centimeters long and its body is thirty. The snail has a heart, kidney, eyes, brain and lung, by the way, in addition to it, the mollusk also breathes skin. However, she hears absolutely nothing. The eyes of the Achatina are located at the ends of the tentacles; they help the snails perceive the degree of illumination and objects located at a distance of no more than a centimeter. In addition, the degree of brightness of the illumination of the snails is also perceived by light-sensitive cells located throughout the body, which is probably why they do not like blinding light.

The shell protects the mollusks from drying out and becomes a protection for them in case of any danger. It can have a very interesting pattern and color, which can change depending on what the snail ate. Achatina smells through the skin of the entire front area of \u200b\u200bthe body, as well as the tips of the tentacles. With the help of them and the sole, the snail perceives the textures and shapes of objects.

Achatina species

In nature, there are more than a hundred species of giant snails. It makes no sense to dwell on each in detail, since the conditions of their detention are practically the same. Consider the most common types of Achatina, which can be found more often than others in pet stores.

The easiest to care for, and therefore the most common of the giant snails, is considered the Achatina fulica species. Its representatives have a shell with a variegated coloration, which changes color depending on the diet, and a brownish or brownish soft body, with pronounced tubercles on the skin. Achatina fulica are slow and like to rest a lot in a secluded place.

The second most common type of snails for home keeping is Achatina reticulata. Usually, its representatives have a pattern on the shell in the form of stripes and dots, the color of the soft body is black or dark brown with a light border of "legs". Achatina reticulata are curious and mobile, they often raise their heads in an attempt to consider what is happening.

You don't need any special tools to keep Achatina. They can even fit into an old, cracked aquarium, since you don't have to fill it with water. Instead, you can even take a plastic box, but only in this case it will be difficult to observe the pets due to the poor transparency of the walls. But it is better to refuse to use a cardboard box, since Achatina can gnaw it.

One snail needs a "house" with a volume of at least ten liters. If you plan to start several Achatina, its volume should be at least twenty to thirty liters.

Always cover the aquarium with a piece of perforated plexiglass or a special lid. Otherwise, you will have to look for the snail all over the house. But it is also impossible to close the aquarium tightly, since the mollusk constantly needs fresh air, if the lid does not contain holes, then leave at least a small gap.

At the bottom of the aquarium, it is imperative to place the soil for Achatina with a layer of up to ten centimeters. It should be loose, air-permeable, later the snail will bury itself in it and lay eggs. For this, use coconut substrate or potting soil, which can be found at any flower shop. The main thing is that there are no fertilizers and other harmful additives in the soil. It is also not recommended to use sawdust and clay soil as a soil. Sometimes it is recommended to cover the terrarium for Achatina with sand, walnut membranes or pine bark. You can experiment and pick the most convenient option.

Whichever soil you choose, keep in mind that it should always be in a slightly damp state, but not be waterlogged. This will keep your aquarium at optimum moisture content. You can determine the degree of humidity by the behavior of the snail. If it tries to close itself in the sink, the air is too dry, but if it constantly weighs on the walls, the humidity is too high.

Since the African snail Achatina loves to swim, it will not hurt to put a shallow container of water in its "house". The container must be heavy and stable so that the clam cannot turn it over. It is recommended to pour very little water into it so that the snail cannot drown in it. Change your bathing water about once a week.

Since Achatina is a native of Africa, it is only logical that she loves warmth. For her, the most comfortable temperature is around 26 degrees. Since it is usually lower in our apartments, a dim lamp will help to provide a suitable climate for the snail. Of course, it is quite possible to do without this, but just keep in mind that Achatina, which was kept at home at temperatures below 24 degrees, will be a little sluggish and not very mobile.

The mollusk does not need special additional lighting. Akhvtins are indifferent to the intensity of light. However, it is important for snails that the day changes regularly to night. At the same time, they are very active in the dark. During the day, snails prefer to hide in the ground or other secluded places. Such places can be created by placing large stones, driftwood, coconut halves, etc. in the aquarium. In addition, live plants can be planted in the aquarium, they will also become additional food for Achatina. Ivy or fern is best for this.

How to care for Achatina

Achatina do not need any special care. All you need to do is change the bathing water, clean the aquarium every one and a half to three months, and change the soil in it. If desired, sometimes wash the snails under running slightly warm water, and, of course, feed the pet.

What do Achatins eat

Achatina can eat almost anything, and the taste preferences of each snail are often significantly different. However, the basis of their diet is, nevertheless, plant foods. It is recommended to give them apples, salad, cucumbers. In summer, young foliage and herbs such as clover or dandelion can be added to your food. In addition, snails can happily eat bananas, watermelon peels, bell peppers, pumpkin, tomato, melon, corn, various berries, zucchini and spinach. Most snails don't like carrots and potatoes. To diversify the diet of Akhatana, sometimes give her dry unleavened biscuits, bran and oatmeal. Occasionally you can offer her meat, egg whites or poultry.

Calcium must be present in the snail's diet. Therefore, the aquarium should always contain grated eggshells or natural chalk, and limestone or mineral stones can also be placed in it.

Reproduction of Achatina

Despite the fact that Achatina are hermaphrodites, living alone they rarely lay eggs. Therefore, if you want to get offspring from the snail, it is better to plant a "friend" with it. Moreover, for the role of a female, it is worth picking up older snails, a sexually mature, but not very large mollusk can cope well with the role of a male.

At a time, Akhatana usually lays about two hundred eggs, of which, depending on the air temperature, tiny, about five millimeters, snails appear in a week or three. They reach sexual maturity in six months, but they continue to grow almost all their lives.

Advantages of the African Achatina snail

Of course, the Achatina snail is not an affectionate cat and not a playful dog, but it also has its own considerable advantages. She will not demand from you daily walks, frequent feedings, she will not whine at night and gnaw on slippers, while she will hardly have to spend money on her maintenance. Nevertheless, Achatina may well deliver more than one pleasant minute. It is very interesting to watch the snail, especially when it is bathing, crawling on glass or slowly moving along the hand. You can even try to "train" it by developing conditioned reflexes in the mollusk.

But the main advantage of the Achatina snail is that you can easily go on vacation or a business trip and leave your pet unattended. Indeed, for a long time, without receiving food and additional moisture, Achatina simply hibernate. Returning home, you just need to sprinkle water on the hibernating mollusk and he will wake up soon. Achatina snails, care and maintenance, which fully met the requirements, are able to live for about ten years. Therefore, they can become your loyal companions for many years.

Achatina snails in cosmetology: reviews, photos, contraindications. How to use Achatina snails in cosmetology?

It is not for nothing that snails have been associated with eternity for a long time. Their use helps to maintain health and prolong youth. One of the most valuable species is the Achatina snail. In cosmetology and medicine, their miraculous properties are widely used.

Such procedures are most popular among the beautiful half of humanity. They help solve a wide range of skin problems.

What are Achatina snails?

Achatina snails in cosmetology, reviews of the beneficial properties of which inspire confidence, are already widely used in Holland and France.

Africa is considered the birthplace of these mollusks. It was from there that they spread to other continents. These mollusks do not live on the territory of Russia, since the climate does not allow this. All available individuals are raised in conditions specially created for them.

Types of snails Achatina

To date, more than a hundred species of snails have been discovered, which can be classified as giant. Their mucus practically does not differ in its composition. Among them, the most popular, due to their widespread prevalence and undemanding care, are:

• achatina reticulata;
• achatina fulika.

What is needed for growing at home?

You can keep shellfish in an aquarium with soil, while it must be constantly moistened. For bathing, you must put a container with water in the aquarium. The comfortable temperature for this type of snails is 26 degrees Celsius.

Observing the behavior of pets, you can determine: whether they are comfortable in the created conditions. If the habitat is too dry, molluscs will often hide in the shell.

At home, Achatins live for 7-10 years.

How to use for cosmetic purposes at home?

In order to undergo massage and skin regeneration procedures using snails, it is not necessary to visit a beauty salon. You can keep Achatina at home and on your own, at any convenient time to carry out the procedure. A frequent question that arises when the Achatina snails are mentioned: in cosmetology, how to use them?

In fact, the procedure for skin rejuvenation with Achatina is quite simple:

1. Yes, first you need to cleanse the skin from the remnants of cosmetics.
2. Then you should wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in milk.
3. Achatina must be rinsed with lukewarm running water. They wash not only the abdomen, but also the mollusk house.
4. The snail is placed on the problematic area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, after which it is given the opportunity to move along the surface of the skin.
5. After the procedure, which lasts 10-15 minutes, the mollusk needs rest. It needs to be moved back to the terrarium.
6. The mucus remaining after the movement of the snail is evenly distributed over the surface of the skin.
7. It is necessary to allow the mucus to absorb and dry, after which the skin is washed with warm water without using soap.

Achatina snails play an important role in cosmetology, since their mucus has a rich composition. Therefore, having such an unpretentious pet at home, you can maintain a healthy skin condition without visiting expensive beauty salons.

Cosmetology

Achatina snails are used in cosmetology due to their mucus, which contains a large amount of collagen, glycolic acid and elastin.

On the basis of snail mucus, ointments and creams are made that make the skin soft, like in small children.

It has been observed that people who breed snails are less likely to suffer from hand skin diseases. Cuts and wounds heal faster. Products based on Achatin mucus help to eliminate scars and stretch marks.

Achatina snails in cosmetology, photos of which are presented in this article, have occupied their niche. The procedures that are carried out with the help of snails already have a large number of adherents.

Massage with Achatina

Achatina snails in cosmetology are used more often than other types of molluscs for daily massage.

Moving over the skin, the mollusk gently massage, while improving blood circulation, relieving spasms. These procedures are also useful for those who have varicose veins. Thanks to the massage of Achatina snails, blood vessels are strengthened, blood circulation is improved.

A big advantage is the delicacy with which the procedure is carried out. Moving slowly along the skin, the mollusks gently massage without causing pain.

Achatina snails in the fight against cellulite

Those who want to remove fat in problem areas and get rid of cellulite usually know firsthand what Achatina snails are in cosmetology, how to use shellfish. Regular massage with Achatina snails on the thighs and abdomen will help to make the skin smoother and relieve the "orange peel" effect.

If you use Achatin in the fight against cellulite at least 3 times a week, then after a short period of time, equal to 1-2 months, you can get rid of this problem.

Contraindications

Anyone who does not have fear or squeamish feelings in relation to shellfish can use a remedy such as Achatina snails (in cosmetology). These creatures have no contraindications to use for cosmetic purposes.

But before you carry out a treatment or massage session, you need to make sure that there is no allergy to the components of Achatina mucus. To do this, it is necessary to place the clam for a small amount of time on the skin of the wrist.

If after this procedure there are any side effects, then it is best to refuse to treat the skin in this way before consulting a specialist doctor.

Those who decide to get an Achatin must first carry out at least one cosmetological procedure "snail therapy" in the salon. If you are allergic to any component of the mollusc mucus, it will manifest itself. This will save you from a rash and useless acquisition.

Achatina snails in cosmetology: reviews

A large number of positive reviews on various sites and blogs allows us to conclude that the use of snails for cosmetic purposes is popular.

Users note as the main advantages:

• rapid appearance of the effect;
• painlessness of the procedure;
• no need to use synthetic products.

Sometimes the only reason that leads to the rejection of the use of snails in cosmetology is fear or a feeling of disgust in relation to shellfish.

Experts note that in cosmetology snails are a good alternative to expensive procedures. Due to the simplicity of growing snails and a small list of contraindications for preparations based on their mucus, they are gaining an increasing number of fans.

In this regard, an increasing number of cosmetology centers have in their range of services "snail therapy".

The Achatina snail in cosmetology is just a godsend for those who do not want to resort to the help of surgeons and use various injections for rejuvenation.

Regular use of Achatina snails for cosmetic purposes will help to quickly improve blood circulation, skin condition, and reduce stretch marks and scars.

What are the benefits of the Achatina snail for human health ???

✿Elena m✿

Recently, there has been a fashion for other land snails - giant African snails, or Achatina. It is the largest land mollusk on Earth: its shell can reach a length of 25 cm, and its body - as much as 30. Achatina is native to East Africa, but now they can be found in many parts of the world. For some countries with a climate favorable for giants, snails are unusually dangerous: they are voracious and multiply rapidly. So, in America there is a quarantine for Achatina, and anyone who would decide to breed them would face imprisonment. But in Europe, and in particular in Russia, Achatina do not live in the wild, so they can be kept as pets.

The beauty of these snails is not only in their enormous size. Achatins are real beauties, and the owner can simulate the color scheme of the shell of his pet: if you feed the mollusk with something red for some time, for example, pepper, its shell will begin to acquire shades of red. By switching the snail to a green diet, you will add new colors to it. The main distinguishing feature of the Achatina is their intelligence. They very quickly develop conditioned reflexes: snails get used to their owners, distinguish them from other people, they develop a clear daily routine. But most importantly, no matter what snails become inhabitants of the house - grape or Achatina, they will undoubtedly bring great benefit to their owners: calm, meditative and even majestic snails tune their owners to the same feelings.

What is the best way to keep Achatina?

vladimir

Brief recommendations for the content of Achatina
The African snail Achatina fulica belongs to the class of Gastropods, the Stem-eyed order, the Helicid family.
In captivity, Achatina live for 5-9 years, increase in size all their lives and grow up to 15 cm long.
Terrarium. A terrarium for Achatina can be made from a simple aquarium. The minimum size is 10 liters per snail. The larger the aquarium, the larger your snail will grow. The terrarium must have a cover, because snails can crawl out of it. It is advisable to arrange small holes in the lid for better gas exchange, ideally insert a metal mesh. As a last resort, you can simply lift the lid to create a small gap. At the bottom of the aquarium, you need to put a bed of sand, conifer bark, sawdust or peat. Each of these types of litter has pros and cons, but I prefer to use coniferous bark. It is easy to clean, easy to get, and less noticeable. You can build a small bath with fresh water, Achatins love to swim. The main thing is that the depth of the bath does not allow the snail to drown. In general, Achatins crawl well under water, but, accidentally falling into the bath from above, a small snail can drown from fright. You also need to make sure that the tub does not overturn if the snail begins to dig into the ground next to it, otherwise the water will spread, which is not good.
The temperature and humidity required by the Achatinas roughly coincide with those in an ordinary city apartment.
Soil moisture is determined empirically. If snails sit on the walls of the cage all the time, then there is too much water.
If they prefer to cork up (the evidence is hidden in the sink and closed with a lid), on the contrary, it is too dry. With normal soil moisture, snails crawl along its surface at night, and during the day they often burrow into it. To maintain humidity, it is enough to spray the soil and walls of the terrarium with a spray bottle once a day.
To wake up a clogged snail, you can pour water over its mouth and carefully remove the cap, or simply place it in a normal humidity terrarium. It is recommended to wash the terrarium at least once a week. An exception is a terrarium with eggs, which must be cleaned without water in order not to change the humidity and not damage the eggs.
It is better to keep small snails without soil, covering them with cabbage or lettuce leaves, thereby increasing the chance of the snail finding food and making it easier to maintain the terrarium.
Feeding. There is an opinion that Achatina can be fed once a week. Let me disagree with this. Achatina survives, grows, and even reproduces frequently with this diet, but often live shorter lives and grow more slowly than their normally nourishing counterparts. It is best to feed as soon as the food is eaten and dry and to remove the debris.
Achatins eat vegetables, fruits and herbs, but in nature they do not refuse meat either. Usually in captivity they are fed cabbage, carrots and cucumbers, but it is preferable to be given a more varied food. This is necessary first of all so that at any time you can switch to another available type of food. It is known that snails have certain food addictions, including many prefer cucumbers and salad to other foods and, if they are fed only cucumbers since childhood, they often refuse to eat anything other than them, which can cause certain inconveniences. In particular, I had two snails that took nothing but bananas and a newspaper. Large snails can be fed whole stubs and recycle food waste surprisingly quickly. Soft foods should be given for a short time, otherwise they will flow and spread over the soil, causing contamination.
Small snails are generally not recommended to give soft foods. There was a case when the snails completely buried themselves in a banana and suffocated there. It is better for very small newborn snails to give greens, thinly chopped carrots, and after a few days salad and apple

Alex

In my coconut substrate. Soaked briquette from a flower shop. They live in an old aquarium. Necessarily a source of carbonic lime, I have crushed zebra mussel, chalk. I feed with vegetables. There were an incredible number of juveniles last year!

Radmila Mordvinkina

alexander ananiev

In a glass jar or container / aquarium, coconut shavings can be poured, there must be moisture, you can sometimes bathe. DO NOT give citrus fruits, raw potatoes and bananas to small children

Why are snails useful?

™ Inextinguishing Star ... ®

Why snails are useful - the snail is different from the snail.



Almost ninety thousand different species of snails are known. They are found in cities and deserts. In the Sahara, for example, snails are found in places where the temperature in the shade is 45 degrees. There are snails living in hot spring water. At the same time, they also tolerate cold well.
An experienced gardener, choosing a cabbage head for himself in the garden, will cut off the one on which he sees a snail. He knows that this gourmand unmistakably finds the best head of cabbage.



In ancient Rome, roast grape snails were considered a delicacy. The famous natural scientist Pliny testifies to this in his book "The Life of Animals". And in our times, connoisseurs of this food are not extinct. There are special farms in different countries where grape snails are bred. They are exported. And in our country the army of lovers of tender snail meat is growing. The fact is that it contains 20 times more vitamins than creamy meat or eggs.



Snails are not only food for humans. They are not the last in the fish menu. When opening Caspian sturgeons, for example, it was found that the contents of their stomachs are 80 percent of mollusks, mainly snails.
In ancient times, a substance was extracted from the glands of sea snails, needles and purple flakes, from which purple was made, used for dyeing fabrics, as well as in painting and cosmetics. For one gram of purple was ten thousand shellfish.

In some islands of the Pacific Ocean, the shells of rare species of snails still play the role of money. They go to the production of buttons and jewelry. Since ancient times, these snails have been used by the natives of the islands of Oceania as a tool for drilling holes in wood and even stone products. It takes 20-30 hours for the snail, which is called the "oyster drill", to gnaw a hole in the shell of an oyster, mussel or some other shell.



An interesting application is found for the snails Strophocheilus popelarianus in factories where cigarettes are made. The shell height of these snails is up to 14cm. Its strength can be judged at least by the fact that they are used as an iron when smoothing tobacco leaves.
Representatives of the genus Trochus living in the Indian and Pacific Oceans have mother-of-pearl shells of extraordinary beauty, which are used in the button industry. And the shells of the smaller trochid species Trochus adriaticus are used only for jewelry.
In nature, adults perform the role of sewers, eating decaying plant residues, animal excrement. However, young snails are very harmful to cultivated plants, eating banana buds, various fruits, tubers.
Read more about Gastropods, gastropods (Latin Gastropoda, gastro - "belly", poda - "leg"), or snails - the most numerous class within the Mollusca type, which includes about 60,000-75,000 species.
All the fun about snails
About the benefits of snails

Jenya Jenya

The benefits of snails are in any case, both from water and from land.
Benefits of aquarium snails
Snails are natural orderlies: they destroy the remains of food, dead fish, fish excrement, rotten parts of plants, film on the surface of the water, plaque on the walls of the aquarium.
Snails play an important role in maintaining biological balance in an artificial reservoir, and the behavior of some snails (for example, melania) serves as an indicator of the cleanliness of the soil or water, which helps the aquarist to notice and solve pollution problems in time.
Snails are beautiful in their own way and can be used to decorate an aquarium.
The ancient Greeks considered them a medicine and, indeed, helped against diseases. Another ancient people - the Phoenicians - extracted beautiful dye from red snails and dyed their clothes. And in Africa and South America, the shells of large snails were replaced not so long ago .... money. In ancient times, people revered the snail also because its shell has the shape of a spiral. And the spiral has always been considered a symbol of life.
Beetles, birds, snakes, mice feed on snails, many predators also do not hesitate to eat snails ... Both beetles, worms, and other small insects consider snail eggs the most delicious food and diligently seek them out. Many fish feed on water snails
Snails are considered a delicacy in many countries around the world. Snail dishes are especially popular in France. It is in France that escargot is prepared - a special dish made from snails that affects a person's sexual activity.
Snails have been eaten since ancient times. So the first written mentions of the use of snails as food date back to ancient times. In ancient Rome, a snail dish was considered an indispensable attribute of any celebrations. The snail was considered not just a delicious dish, but also a healing remedy. Decoctions from snails were prescribed as a medicine for bleeding, eye diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, as a remedy for wound healing.
There are special types of snails that are used for cooking. The most common species are grape snails (aka Helix pomatia, Burgundy snail, Roman snail). This type of snail lives in moist deciduous forests, shrubs and ravines, where there is enough moisture.
Grape snails grow rather slowly, they begin to be used for food only in the second or third year of their life. This type of snail can grow up to 40-45 mm.
Snail dishes are rightfully called dietary. In 100 gr. The product contains 10g of protein, 32g of fat, 5g of carbohydrates, as well as vitamins B6, B12, iron, calcium, magnesium. Snail meat is soft, it is easily digested and broken down. So, for example, if the digestion of pork or chicken usually takes 4-5 hours on average, then 2 hours is enough for the digestion of snail meat.
Snails are especially recommended for those who have calcium imbalance in the body, pregnant and lactating women, children and people suffering from diseases such as chondrosis and collagenosis. Snail meat improves bowel function and normalizes metabolism. It is believed that due to its magnesium content, snail meat is able to have a calming effect on people and help fight stress.
Before using snails for food, they are transferred to a special diet for several weeks. During the diet, snails get rid of various harmful substances that they may have absorbed when they ate in the wild. To make the meat of the snails more refined, they are fed with thyme and fennel.
The process of cooking snails itself looks something like this: first, the snails are thoroughly washed in water, then they are blanched, cooled, removed from the shells, boiled in broth with spices and white wine, then put back into the shells and sent to bake in the oven. Before the shells are sent to the oven, a little garlic oil with parsley is poured into them.

So, snails occupy an important place in the food chain, recycle organic residues ... But what is the use of humans is still unclear))))

What are the benefits?
Here in terms of cooking "On the benefits of snails" - http://efamily.ru/articles/103/1078
And here about the aquariums "Snails - benefit or harm" - http://e-url.info/read10.php
Here's another "... from the narcotic poison of the pot-bellied cone, pharmacists have prepared an amazing pain reliever drug. In its power it surpasses even morphine. And drugs for the treatment of epilepsy turned out to be the most effective of all known. And, as it turned out, snail drugs do not cause side effects .." . "
http://www.ressina-privivka.ru/friend/gady.htm
Garden, vegetable garden In addition to harm "... Slugs and snails also perform an important sanitary function in the garden, processing dead or damaged plant residues by other pests ..."
http://www.gardenia.ru/pages/vribol_007.htm

Treatment with snails (snail therapy)

The giant African snail Achatina fulica is the most acceptable pet for managers and busy people. This pet does not need to be walked, taken to the vet and spend a lot of money on his food. It will not wake you up in the morning with a loud bark and will not ruin your favorite furniture. It is not allergic to it and is a wonderful stress reliever.

In the tradition of Slavic healers, many forces of nature were used: herbs, honey, clay, stones and animals. Many methods of treatment, having made an amazing journey, have returned to us today in the form of stone therapy, honey massage and even hirudotherapy (leech therapy) and bee therapy.

But one of the effective types of human treatment, using the forces of living nature, has been undeservedly forgotten - treatment with snails.
It is good that the bearers of the tradition of Slavic herbalists are still preserved, so now there is an opportunity to get acquainted with the amazing area of \u200b\u200brestoring human health - treatment with snails in the tradition of Slavic herbalists.

Snails, these amazing, unhurried creatures, thanks to their unique features that nature endowed them with, will help you and your patients get rid of:

- From cellulite and "heavy fats", which are not removed by any physical exercises.
- From muscle spasms and clamps (including clamps of the collar zone), moreover, without pain!
- From inflammation, provoking infertility and other serious diseases.
- From stress and diseases caused by nerves (dermatitis, psoriasis).
- From vegetative-vascular dystonia.

The most recent discovery in the field of medicine calls the snail a brain donor, based on the positive results of careful studies of the neurons of these snails, and in particular on the fact that human neurons and snail neurons require the same ionic composition of the environment when they are grown in culture ...

Any woman would like to have a miraculous cream that would effectively care for the skin, moisturize it and delay aging for a long time. And it would be nice if such a cream is natural. Do not be surprised, but such a remedy exists - it is the mucus of medicinal snails. Do you disdain?

Still, after all, not every woman can try procedures using snails. And what is really there, such a service is not very common with us. But those who dare and allow the gastropods to wander through their bodies get the effect mentioned above. This miraculous cream is the mucus that is secreted from the snails during their "walk". In the language of cosmetologists, snails produce a mucus wrap that rejuvenates and tightens the skin.

For the first time, they started talking about the benefits of snail mucus when they noticed that the skin of the hands of snail farms does not age. Later it was found that this mucus smoothes wrinkles and prevents dry skin.

Snail mucus contains a huge amount of bioactive substances that are probably familiar to you: collagen, glycolic acid, allantoin, natural antibiotics and vitamins, with which the snail regenerates its body and "repairs" its "house". Therefore, snails can heal scars, scars, burns, cuts, inflammations.

As a rule, snail mucus does not cause complications, allergies, etc., so it can be suitable for those who deny themselves spa treatments due to any illness. Snails can also help get rid of stretch marks and age spots, which is very important for new mothers. And the matter is small - let the little doctors crawl over your body.

The use of snails

Considering their properties to regenerate cells, as well as the positive effect of their impulses, Achatina is used as a natural massage. The snail must first be rinsed in cool running water. Prepare your face and neck for the procedure: cleanse of cosmetics and rub with milk. Then put the snail on the skin. She must "walk" through the areas offered to her, after which she is returned to the house. You will evenly distribute healing secretions on the face and neck and keep them on the skin for 15 minutes until completely dry. At the same time, the skin is significantly tightened. After washing you will feel its extraordinary freshness and velvety texture. It is advisable to carry out this procedure every other day, or at least at least 2 times a week.

How many species of snails are there on earth, and which are the largest?

Victoria

In addition... .

The "cone" snail is considered the smallest snail. One portion of the poison can kill 10 people. Moreover, scientists have not yet found an antidote. Habitat: tropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Polynesia to the east. coast of Africa and the Red Sea.
Pepper benefits and harms to the body

Due to their sluggishness, snails rarely attract much attention. Nevertheless, some representatives of this genus should have shown a little more interest, at least for their own safety. In the course of evolution, these mollusks have been able to occupy quite a few diverse niches in various ecosystems, developing bizarre and, at times, dangerous skills that can endanger the life of not only animals, but also humans.

10. Urosalpinx cinerea

Most molluscs, as a rule, are invulnerable to their fellows, being eaten only by much larger organisms that can break their shells. But there is one type of snail, also known as the "Oyster Drill", which is able to overcome this obstacle on its own. These are often found in the Pacific Northwest. Using their sharp tongue, they drill through the shells of other molluscs and inject acid inside, which dissolves calcium carbonate (the substance that makes up mollusk shells). At the same time, the snail's fleshy leg holds the victim in place, preventing it from escaping. Thus, a small snail is capable of eating much larger shellfish than it is.

8. Deadly cone snails

This family of snails has more than 500 species that live in the warm ocean waters of the tropical and temperate zones. Usually they move along the seabed, in parallel looking for prey, which may even be fish. With the help of a sharp thorn, they inject into the victim, which does not allow it to swim far away. The poison of some species of these snails can even kill a person. To date, there have been thirty officially reported deaths associated with these snails. Most often, people either accidentally stepped on them, or took them in their hands and looked at them. Almost immediately after the attack, paralysis occurs, and the victims begin to feel acute pain and dizziness. More recently, it has been discovered that these snails, unlike other animals, behave extremely aggressively when accidentally encountered, which makes them even more dangerous. In addition, it should be noted that their spikes are so sharp that they can penetrate gloves and wetsuits.

7. Killer snails

Sleek, black and formidable despite their small size, these snails are a real threat to freshwater bodies. Killer snails do not shun even manifestations of cannibalism, eating their relatives. These snails are often used by aquarists who want to get rid of over-breeding common snails. Killer snails are only 2.5 centimeters long and have incredible cunning for molluscs. They wait for an unsuspecting prey, which can be significantly larger than their size, wrap around it and then suck out all the pulp, leaving only an empty shell.

6. Giant African earthen snail


If sheer size, mucus, and total numbers are the main criteria for judging snails on the fear scale, then the African giant earthen snail is exactly what you need. These snails live in the African forests and wetlands of Nigeria and can grow up to 20 centimeters in length. These snails came to Miami along with containers of food, and were also brought in by smugglers. They are able to eat more than 500 different types of plants, as well as the plaster that covers the house, thereby replenishing the calcium reserves in the body, which is spent on increasing the shell. The giant African land snail is the largest terrestrial gastropod mollusk on the planet. Like other relatives, these snails carry a number of serious diseases, such as meningitis, which is carried into the snail from rat droppings. Specially trained dogs are often used in attempts to eradicate these molluscs.

5. Meat-eating snails

In the native forests of Australia and New Zealand, Otway's black snails feed on other snails, worms and insects, which they trap with their mucus-covered body, impaling and tearing them apart at the last moment with their sharp sting. They usually live in humid and cool tropical forests, where they arrange their dwellings in the midst of lush vegetation and damp earth. Originally herbivores, these snails have developed highly effective hunting skills in Australia. The largest representatives of this species can reach 8 centimeters in length. In addition, these snails can live up to 20 years, which is much longer than most land snails.

4. Vermetidae - worm-like snails


Convergent evolution is one of the most interesting processes in nature, when, in the process of adapting to the environment, two completely different species can acquire almost identical appearance. This strange worm-like snail in adolescence fully corresponds to the public concept of what a common snail should look like, but as adults, snails of this species attach their shells to rocks and stones, losing mobility, although their body continues to grow. In this form, they resemble ordinary annelid worms. Snails use their modified slime-covered stalk to extract food from the water. These 10 cm creatures are capable of producing a thread of slime up to 2 meters in length. Snails of this species are dioecious, and the reproduction process itself resembles a regular meal.

3. Poirieria zelandica


This species of molluscs lives both in coastal shallow waters and in the open sea. Also known as the spiny murex, this snail has one of the strangest and most unusual shells around. Partly reminiscent of a floating porcupine, the snail is a great example of protection, but don't be fooled by its calmness, behind all these thorns is an insatiable predator. Sharp thorns do not allow fish to inflict significant harm on the snail, saving it even from the most persistent. Molluscs grown in shallow water have smaller thorns. These 5cm snails are most often caught in their nets by fishermen.

2. The king of all snails


Less creepy as impressive, this species of gastropod called the giant Australian trumpeter lives in the coastal and sublittoral areas of Australia, extending to a depth of 30 meters. The weight of the Australian trumpeter reaches 18 kilograms, and the size of its shell can be almost 1 meter in length. This creature lives off the northern coast of Australia and off the coast of eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Very often you can see this mollusk in the photo in the company of children, where children are often much smaller than the snail itself. The shells of these molluscs are so large that they are often used as a container for carrying water. Very little is known about this snail, scientists have found that it feeds on annelids, which can reach up to 1 meter in length.

1. Punk-rock snail Alviniconcha strummeri


Found at a depth of 1 kilometer in an area of \u200b\u200bhydrothermal vents, this species of molluscs most resembles a cactus or hedgehog. Rounded, about the size of a golf ball, the snails are covered with thin spines. Scientists named this species after Joe Strummer, vocalist and guitarist for The Clash, who is also an avid environmentalist. Researcher Shannon Johnson of Monterey's Bay Aquarium noted that its deep-sea habitat makes the clam's blood purple, which, along with the spiked shell, gives it a special resemblance to punk rockers from the 70's and 80's.

Few people expect a snail's catch. Many are accustomed to treating these unusual animals a little down. Who are they, these snails? And can a freshwater snail really be dangerous?

Name

The snail is a representative of the animal kingdom. It belongs to the class of gastropods, or gastropods. The Latin name for Gastropoda is derived from two ancient Greek words, the approximate meaning of which is "belly" and "leg". And the Russian name of this animal - "snail" - has Old Slavic roots. It is consonant with the adjective "hollow". It turns out that each name reflected one of the features of the mollusk. Latin concentrated on the mode of movement, while Russian emphasized the hollow house that the animal wears on its back.

Typical structure

The snail is a typical one with an outer shell and a body. Surprisingly, the body simultaneously performs the functions of locomotion and the abdomen. There is a special fold above it, which is called the mantle. The void between the mantle and the body is called the mantle cavity. Inside it is an inlet siphon, which passes inside and an outlet siphon, designed to remove the waste liquid. As you can imagine, this applies to those snails that live in the water. If the animal is terrestrial, then a primitive lung is located in the mantle cavity, and not gills.

Information about species

There are quite a lot of gastropods in nature. Scientists have recorded over 110 thousand species. All of them are divided into 3 main subgroups:

• marine species;
• freshwater species;
• land snails.

In fact, the division can be reduced to gill and pulmonary forms. But we will try to take a closer look at only one of the forms. It will be a freshwater snail.

Freshwater snails: danger

The worst killers on earth are not large predators, but small harmless snails. Although how can you call an animal harmless, on account of which about 10,000 deaths annually? This is not an exaggeration at all. Are you interested in why freshwater snails are dangerous? How can an animal without sharp fangs and long claws kill a person? Let's explain now.

Freshwater snails kill people by infecting water bodies with schistosome larvae. It is in their organisms that the larvae go through the first phase of development. The life cycle of schistosomes is quite complex. People bathe, wash, drink water from contaminated water bodies, and sometimes just wade them. In fresh waters there are snails, in the body of which sporocysts settle, from which cecarii develop. They leave the body of snails and move freely in water, penetrating through human skin into the circulatory system. Through large vessels and capillaries, cecarii migrate into or into the bladder.

It takes about 65 days from the penetration of the cicarius into the skin to the development of a sexually mature individual capable of reproduction. The female is larger than the male. It can grow from 7 to 20 mm. Schistosomes live from 3 to 30 years, producing billions of eggs during this time.

The freshwater snail, which is a necessary step in the life cycle of schistosomes, is common in the waters of Africa, the Middle and Far East, South America and the Philippines.

How to understand that an infection has occurred

Symptoms of schistosomiasis are similar to other infectious diseases, so several stool and urine tests are required. Blood tests (PCR) show the presence of a problem only in the advanced stage of the disease, since the immune response does not appear immediately.

In difficult cases, a colonoscopy, cystoscopy, or biopsy may be necessary. To identify the degree of infection, ultrasound diagnostics, X-rays, MRI and other examinations can be used.

As a treatment, Praziquantel is prescribed. The dosage is calculated based on the patient's weight, the duration of the admission is determined by the doctor. To enhance the effect, it is possible to combine it with Artesunat.

Freshwater snails. Helena Predator

There are a variety of freshwater snail species found in both open water and freshwater aquariums. One of the species is the Helena snail. This dangerous beauty lives in Southeast Asia. It has a bright and attractive appearance and is capable of eating smaller gastropods.

Helena shell is decorated with contrasting stripes of black and amber color. The head of the mollusk is elongated like a proboscis. Helena's body is speckled, covered with thousands of black dots. Nature has provided this dangerous predator with special lamellar protection. In dangerous situations, the snail closes the entrance to the sink with a solid "door".

Helena clams are often kept as freshwater aquarium snails. They help reduce algae, tadpoles, pond snails and other snail species.

Horned snail

These freshwater molluscs belong to the well-known family Neritina. They are distributed in southern latitudes. Found in water bodies of Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, China and Indonesia. The mollusk prefers river mouths with a rocky or sandy bottom.

The snail has natural protection in the form of sharp growths. The horns scare away predators trying to grab the snail.

The shells have two colored stripes. One of them is yellow, the other is black. Small bright inhabitants often end up in freshwater aquarium owners. They clean up excess algae from driftwood, decorations and glass. Horned mollusks get along well with other inhabitants of aquariums, the exception is, perhaps, only the Helena snail.

Snail ampularia

Freshwater ampullia is found in the waters of South America and Asia. These are beautiful multi-colored molluscs with four sharp antennae on the body. The color range of ampullia is surprisingly diverse. This is a whole family of mollusks, in which there are at least 120 species, each of which has its own color. The body of the mollusk can reach 7 cm in length. Of the features of the species, one can name the presence of gills and a lung. This is due to the fact that the species lives in shallow water bodies. Ampularia have a special process, stretching which, they can breathe atmospheric air, even while in water.

Ampularia love warm water (up to 28 ° C) and are not too whimsical in their diet. Shredded vegetables, fish food, and small fish pieces are suitable for them. If the water in the aquarium is cold, then the ampulla will go into hibernation, closing the sink with a lid.

Aquarists love this family for keeping the bowl clean. Ampularia pick up pieces of food and dead algae that have settled to the bottom.

Melania snail

This type of gastropod is distributed throughout Africa and has a very extensive range. In natural conditions, it prefers small reservoirs with a slow flow. But Melania does not like a rocky bottom, preferring a muddy pillow or sand. The basis of the diet of this snail is lower algae and semi-decomposed organic matter. Melania shell is elongated with a sharp tip. Color range varies from black to light brown.

In fact, any freshwater snail you find a photo of will look beautiful and attractive. However, we must not forget that these mollusks are of great danger. If the owner of the aquarium wants to have such a pet by adding him to other fish, then he must understand that it is necessary to take safety measures.

Regardless of whether you caught the snails yourself or bought them at the pet store, all shellfish must be quarantined. Freshwater snails are planted in an empty aquarium (without algae and other inhabitants) and kept for about 4 weeks in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then the animal is washed in clean water and only after this procedure is it allowed to enter the common aquarium. Although, remembering how dangerous a freshwater snail is for humans, it is undesirable to catch this animal in natural reservoirs. Why put yourself in danger of contracting schistosomiasis?