How to Care for Snails

Co-authored by Joe Perez

Last Updated: September 29, 2024 Approved

Snails make friendly, relatively low maintenance pets. They require a moist environment and a diet filled with minerals and healthy vegetables. Snails enjoy each other's company, so consider getting more than one. If you give snails a comfortable home and care for them properly they can live for many years. This article provides information on caring for non-aquatic snails; see How to Take Care of an Aquatic Snail for information on caring for underwater snails.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Home

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1
Choose a snail tank. Snails need to live in a moist environment free of danger, and it's easiest to facilitate their needs by setting up a home for them in a glass or plastic container. The container you choose should be well-ventilated and escape-proof. It should be large enough for the snails to live comfortably, and portable enough that it's easy to clean often. Consider these factors when you choose a container:^{[1]
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- Snails need plenty of space to move around. A container the size of a small or medium fish tank will usually work. If you have more than one snail, or if you have Giant African Land snails, which are larger, consider getting a tank that's around 30 to 40 litres; be aware that this species can grow up to 20cm in length.
- Snails can lift 3 times their own weight. This means the container you choose must have a lid that can be securely fastened, rather than weighted down.
- Snails need plenty of ventilation. Don't choose a container that's airtight. If you use a plastic food storage-type container, poke plenty of small holes in the top. If you can, cover any holes with mosquito net, this helps to keep any pests such as fruit flies or earwigs out while keeping your snail safe and secure.
- Snails need light. Don't use an opaque container. Find a clear plastic or glass container instead.
- Snails can eat through cardboard. Don't choose a container made of materials that are easy for snails to chew up.
- Make sure you don't leave the terrarium in direct sunlight as this can cause your snail to dry out.^{[2]
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2
Line the tank with substrate. Recreating the type of terrain that snails naturally live in is crucial to keeping them healthy and happy. Make sure the substrate is sterilized and pesticide-free; digging up dirt from your yard won't work, since it may contain substances that could harm the snail. Here are a few different substrate choices:
- Loam. This is a loose substrate that retains moisture well but also drains efficiently. If you want to include live plants in your tank, make sure you choose a loam that is conducive to growing the plants you want to grow.
- Humus. Also referred to as compost, this is a nutrient-rich substrate that provides nourishment to both the snail and live plants.
- Peat. Snails like to live in peat, but it can also be home to pests, so don't use it if you're worried about bugs living in the tank.
- Potting soil. This is a cheap option that is ideal for snails to burrow in. Be sure to choose one that is labeled pesticide-free.
- Coir. This is a cheap substrate that is a popular choice for snail tanks. It holds moisture well, but it is prone to harboring mites and insects.
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3
Add features to the tank. Snails like to crawl, explore and hide, so make them happy by including interesting objects for them to climb on. Avoid hard objects made from ceramic and heavy stone, since snails can slip on these and damage their shells. Choose some of the following options:
- Wooden sticks and branches. Sticks made from durable wood are available for purchase at pet stores since they're often used in aquariums for turtles, snakes, and amphibians.
- Cork bark. This is a soft substance with hollow areas that provide a great hiding place for snails.
- Resin. This is a heavy yet soft material that is perfect to use as a food or water tray. If a snail falls on this material they won't damage their shells and they can't overturn the dish either.
- Plants. Choose live plants that do well in the same climate snails thrive in. You could also choose plastic plants, which are easier to keep clean.
4
Create the right climate. In addition to having a tank that's well ventilated, snails also need a warm, moist environment. They do best at temperatures between 19-25°C (66-77 °F), but they are usually fine at temperatures that are slightly higher or lower. The substrate at the bottom of the tank must be kept moist at all times.
- If you're concerned that your snail might get too cold in a certain room, consider buying a small heating pad. It should only cover about 2/3 of the floor of the tank, so the snail is able to move away if it gets too hot.
- Keep the substrate moist by spritzing it (and the snail) with water every day. Use purified, spring or distilled water to ensure the snail stays healthy. If you aren't able to obtain these, leave normal tap water in the sun for 48 hours; this breaks down Chlorine, ensuring your snail's safety.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Providing Calcium and Food

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Snails need plenty of calcium to keep their shells strong and healthy. You should provide a source of calcium in the tank at all times. Cuttlefish bones are available for purchase at pet stores, but you could also use eggshells. The snails will run their bodies over the calcium source and wear it away over time.^{[3]
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2
Provide snail food. Snails eat a great variety of different foods, many of which you might have in your refrigerator or pantry to feed your family. Place some food in the snail's tank every day. You can use a small food dish to keep the food separate from the substrate. If you notice the food there a few days later, remove it, since letting food rot in the tank will cause mold to grow and attract insects. Keep these tips in mind when it comes to feeding your snail:^{[4]
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- You can buy a snail food mix or turtle food to feed your snails. Fresh food contains more nutrients and is healthier, but it's good to have dry food on hand in case of an emergency.
- Feed snails fruits and vegetables. Snails will eat almost any type of produce. If they don't like something, they simply won't eat it, so experiment with different fruits and vegetables until you find a combination your snail likes. Try berries, squash, lettuce, cabbage, apples, pears, broccoli, beans, cucumbers, kale, and all kinds of other fruits and vegetables.
- Feed snails small quantities of crushed seeds. Oats may also be fed to snails after soaking. You can also feed snails small quantities of milk powder, raw meat, and crushed dog bones.
- Snails also enjoy bloodworm as an occasional treat, remember snails are omnivores and also indulge in raw meats on occasion. Make sure the meat doesn't contain salt.
- Avoid foods that are dangerous for snails to eat. Rice, millet, pasta, and other starchy foods can cause the snails to get bloated and die. Avoid foods that contain salt. Finally, don't feed snails food that has been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
This isn't mandatory since snails get the moisture they need from the substrate, but snails like to drink water and bathe every now and then. Choose a very shallow water dish that will allow the snails to easily climb in and out. If you use one that's too deep, the snails may drown.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning the Tank and Snails

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Once a week should be sufficient, but change it more often if it looks dirty before then. Change the substrate right away if it gets completely soaked or if it seems to be harboring mites.
2
Clean the tank every few weeks. Wash the tank with hot water and a sterilizing solution, then rinse it carefully again to remove all traces of the chemicals. It's important to wash the tank fairly frequently so that mold doesn't grow in the tank and harm the snails.
- While you're washing the tank, keep the snails safe in a plastic container with a lid; make sure it has plenty of holes in the top for ventilation.
- Wash the decorations and food and water dishes as well. If certain decorations seem to have degraded over time, replace them.
3
Bathe the snails. It's a good idea to bathe the snails every so often to prevent disease and pests from taking over. Set the snail in a shallow dish of room temperature water, then pour more water gently over the snail's body. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the shell; don't scrub too hard or you may damage it, and don't use soap.^{[5]
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- Never use cleaning fluids to clean the snail or its shell. These are extremely harmful and could lead to the snail's death.
- You can rub a bit of sesame oil over the shell to give it some shine.

Community Q&A

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Question

How should I take care of snail eggs?

Community Answer

Make sure you cover the eggs or put them in a different container. I suggest having soil as the bedding, and keep the bedding moist. Snail eggs crack very easily, so be careful when moving them. Provide a lot of calcium for when the snail shells, as they are about as thin as wet paper. It will be about a week or two before the snails hatch.

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What do snails drink?

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Snails drink pure water. Avoid giving your snail tap water, as it may contain chemicals that could harm your snail.

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How do I know my pet snails are happy and content?

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There are many ways. First; your snail should be fairly active and curious in its home. Of course, it rests too but during the day it roams around. Your snail should also be eating very well. They should be excited and eager to eat. Your snails also needs other snails, since they can be sociable. Laying eggs from snails are also good since it shows that they like the place they live in and trust you.

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Tips

Never leave your snails unattended for a long period of time, as they are not as slow as you think.

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Never dump your tank if there are unusual black bubbles at the top because they are probably eggs.

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Remember to clean the tank, snail, and any decorations regularly.

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Give your snail a constant source of calcium like cuttlebone or crushed eggshells in its habitat to keep its shell nice and strong. Their shells will get too soft and weak without enough calcium.
Check the substrate and decor daily for little clumps of eggs if you have more than one snail sharing an enclosure. They typically lay eggs together in groups of around 5-10.
Avoid decorations or rocks with slippery, smooth surfaces that could cause your snail to fall. They could seriously damage their shell if it lands on something wrong.
Moisten your hands before gently handling your snail so you don't accidentally remove its protective mucus layer. Never use soap or cleaners directly on a snail.
Do a thorough deep clean of the entire tank every few weeks using a sterilizing solution to prevent any nasty mold growth, which can really sicken snails.
Offer a very shallow water dish for bathing and drinking that's not deep enough for them to fall in and possibly drown.

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Warnings

Without calcium, your snail will start eating its shell to get calcium.

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Baby snail's shells are very fragile, so try not to hold them or be very, very careful. Keep in mind that they may get eaten by adult snails as well.

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Snails die under salty conditions.

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