How to Keep Garden Slugs as Pets

Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: September 30, 2024 Approved

Garden slugs are a very common creature in the garden, making them a very easy pet to find. All you need to keep a slug as a pet is the information provided here and a few supplies. Let's get started!

Things You Should Know

Keep your garden slug in a mason jar, old aquarium, or other container. Make sure there are holes in the top so your slug can breathe.
Line the bottom with a layer of soil, then add leaves, rocks, and twigs.
Spritz your slug's habitat with water 2 times a day to provide moisture.
Feed your slug fresh fruit or vegetables once a day.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing a Slug Habitat

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1
Make a slug home. For a habitat, you can use multiple things, such as a critter-keeper, a photo storage box, an old container, a mason jar, an old aquarium with a lid, and even clear plastic boxes from the dollar store. However, if you do use a plastic box or container, always remember to drill or poke holes in the lid, so your slug can breathe. Don't make the holes too big or your slug can, and probably will escape.^{[1]
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- Make sure to have a smaller back-up habitat if one of your slugs gets sick or to transfer the slug to when you clean the habitat.
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Add leaves, rocks, and twigs and sticks. For the base of the habitat, add a layer of soil or dirt. It can come from a pet store or even from your backyard. Most snails owners usually layer the tank bottom.^{[2]
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- For example, add a layer of garden pebbles or fish rocks to the bottom of the tank. On top of that, add soil or dirt, then add a thin layer of grass or leaves. ^{[3]
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- Always remember to add hide-out places, for when your slug gets scared!

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Cleaning the Slug Habitat

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1
Keep the habitat clean and appropriate for a slug's environment. From daily, weekly, to monthly, slugs almost always need their habitats cleaned. Most pet owners also keep their slug's habitat outside because slugs can get loose very easily.
- Hourly/daily: Every hour (or two times a day minimum) use a spritzing bottle to spray down your slugs' habitat. This will keep the moisture your slug needs in the habitat.
- Weekly: Carefully clean your slug's habitat every two weeks. Place your snail(s) in your back-up habitat and add fresh soil or dirt, leaves, grass, and food.
- Monthly: Most pet owners let their slugs loose after about a month. This is not considered a major deal.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

All About Feeding

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Most pet owners typically feed their garden slugs fresh fruit and vegetables. Mostly any will do fine.^{[4]
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Part 4

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Living

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Some slugs can reach as old as 6 years. They don't need as much care as a snail does.

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Question

Can slugs survive traveling in a car?

Community Answer

It depends on the temperature, and how long they are in the car for. Make sure they are in a container with moisture and dirt.

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How can I find out my slug's age?

Lucy Thurgood

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You can't; however, the general rule is: the smaller the slug, the younger it is.

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How many times do I have to change the soil?

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You don't have to change the soil at all. Just make sure to water it every other day to keep it damp.

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Tips

Never leave your slug in direct sunshine or light. Never ever place your slug in direct tap water or put it in a pool. Always remember that you don't know its real age, so it may die earlier than you expect.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Try setting up a bioactive tank for your slug so you don't have to clean as much. Simply set up your tank with moist soil and add springtails or woodlice to help clean any mold in the tank. Then, you can just spot clean dirty areas of the tank.
Wear gloves before handling your slug to protect both it and you (slugs can carry parasites that are hazardous to your health). You should especially avoid touching mucus membranes on the slug, such as its eyes, nose, and mouth
I'd recommend using twigs and leaves from your yard (not from a pet store) so that your slug has things that are familiar from their old habitat.
Make sure to add plenty of vertical twigs, slugs love to climb!

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Warnings

Never put your pet in direct sunlight. Slugs are usually very sensitive to light. These are nocturnal animals. Your slug may not live the expected years because they are from the wild and you cannot predict its real age.

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