Garden land snails are increasingly popular as pets, and for good reason. They are remarkably low-maintenance, gentle enough to handle, and endlessly fascinating to observe. If you’re considering welcoming a snail into your home, you might be wondering, “Where To Get Pet Snails?” This guide will explore the best places to find your new shelled friend, ensuring you start your pet snail journey on the right foot.
While often mistaken for insects, snails are actually mollusks, closely related to clams and oysters. With a lifespan averaging five years, and potentially reaching up to twenty in captivity, bringing a snail home is a commitment to a long-term companion. The easiest way to encounter snails is often right in your backyard after a rain shower. These nocturnal creatures thrive in damp environments, emerging under specific conditions. Snails are social animals and seem to enjoy company, so whether you’re interested in a single snail or a small group, knowing where to find them is the first step. Just like any pet, snails require a suitable habitat and a consistent food supply. Having shared our home with snails for several years, we can attest to how quickly they become cherished members of the family.
Finding Snails in Your Garden: A Natural Approach
One of the most accessible ways to find pet snails is right in your own garden. Garden snails are common in many regions and often appear after rainfall when the environment is moist and humid. Searching in your garden can be a fun and free way to find snails, but it’s important to consider a few things:
- Safety First: Ensure your garden is free from pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. These substances can be harmful to snails. Avoid collecting snails from areas that have been treated with chemicals.
- Responsible Collection: If you decide to collect snails from your garden, take only a few. Over-collecting can disrupt local ecosystems. Consider leaving some snails behind to maintain the natural population.
- Quarantine Period: If you bring garden snails indoors, it’s wise to quarantine them for a few weeks in a separate enclosure before introducing them to an established snail habitat. This helps to observe them for any signs of illness or parasites and prevents introducing anything unwanted into your main setup.
While finding snails in your garden is convenient, it’s important to be certain of the species. Garden snails (Cornu aspersum) are generally hardy and adaptable pets. However, if you are unsure about the type of snail you find, it’s best to research or consult with a local expert to ensure it is a suitable species for keeping as a pet.
Reputable Breeders and Online Communities
For those looking for specific types of snails or wanting to ensure their pet snail is captive-bred, reputable breeders and online communities are excellent resources.
- Specialty Breeders: While not as common as breeders for other pets, there are breeders who specialize in snails, particularly for enthusiasts interested in different species or color variations. Searching online for “snail breeders” or “pet snail breeders” can help you find individuals who breed and sell snails.
- Online Pet Forums and Communities: Online forums and communities dedicated to invertebrate or snail keeping can be valuable places to find information on where to get pet snails. Members of these communities may breed snails themselves or be able to direct you to reputable breeders or sources. Websites like Reddit’s r/snails or dedicated invertebrate forums can be helpful starting points.
- Ethical Considerations: When considering breeders, prioritize those who are knowledgeable about snail care and prioritize the health and well-being of their snails. A good breeder will be able to answer your questions about snail care and the specific species they breed.
Purchasing from a breeder often provides the advantage of knowing the snail’s lineage and ensuring it is healthy and accustomed to captive environments. This can be particularly beneficial for beginners.
Pet Stores and Invertebrate Suppliers
While not as common as finding them in gardens or through breeders, some pet stores or invertebrate suppliers may occasionally offer snails for sale.
- Local Pet Shops: Check with local pet shops, especially those that carry reptiles or amphibians. They may sometimes stock snails as feeder animals or as pets themselves. It’s less common to find snails in mainstream pet stores, but it’s worth inquiring at smaller, independent shops.
- Invertebrate Suppliers (Online): Certain online retailers specialize in invertebrates, and they may offer a variety of snails, including garden snails or other pet-suitable species. If purchasing online, ensure the supplier has good reviews and guarantees live arrival and healthy snails.
If you opt for pet stores or suppliers, carefully observe the snails before purchasing. Look for snails that are active, have intact shells, and are in clean enclosures. Ask the store about the snail’s species and any care information they can provide.
Setting Up Your Snail’s New Home
Once you’ve decided where to get your pet snail, preparing their habitat is the next crucial step. A terrarium is the ideal home for snails.
Choosing the Right Terrarium
Select a glass or plastic terrarium of appropriate size. The size depends on the number of snails you plan to keep. A minimum of a 5-gallon tank is recommended for a couple of snails, but a 10-gallon tank offers more space, especially if you intend to add more snails. A general guideline is 1 gallon of space per snail. Snails do not require external heating. Crucially, ensure the enclosure has good ventilation and a secure, tight-fitting lid, ideally one that locks, to prevent escapes. Glass terrariums with sliding, locking screen tops are excellent choices for maintaining both ventilation and security. A well-chosen terrarium simplifies maintaining the necessary temperature and humidity levels for your snails.
Creating the Ideal Habitat Inside
To create a comfortable and naturalistic habitat:
- Substrate: Add a layer of pesticide, chemical, and fertilizer-free substrate to the terrarium bottom, about a few inches deep. Avoid bagged potting soil as it may contain harmful additives. Snails enjoy burrowing, so avoid sand, pebbles, or gravel. Sterilized pet-safe soil designed for terrariums is ideal. If you choose to use garden soil, sterilize it using methods like baking or microwaving to eliminate potential parasites.
- Moss: A thick layer of sphagnum moss over the substrate is highly beneficial. It helps maintain humidity, provides soft padding, and snails enjoy nibbling and burrowing into it. Avoid peat moss, as it is too acidic for snails.
- Moisture: Keep the substrate consistently damp by misting it with filtered water.
- Climbing and Hiding: Snails are natural climbers. Include sticks, bark pieces, branches, and leaves in the habitat. Avoid rocks, as snails may fall from the tank sides and damage their shells. Provide hiding places like hollow logs or nooks created with large leaves. You can also add snail-safe live plants or grasses after researching their suitability.
Maintaining a Healthy Snail Habitat
Maintaining your snail habitat is straightforward:
- Location: Place the terrarium in a location away from direct sunlight.
- Humidity: Mist the substrate regularly with filtered water from a clean spray bottle to maintain humidity. The goal is moist, not waterlogged, conditions. Daily misting is usually sufficient.
- Cleaning: Regularly remove waste and uneaten food. Perform a thorough cleaning of the terrarium once or twice a month.
Caring For Your Pet Snails: Diet and Handling
Garden snails are herbivores with varied dietary needs.
- Diet: Feed them fresh, raw vegetables and fruits daily, avoiding acidic fruits. Leafy greens, carrots, dandelion leaves, cucumber, and apple are excellent choices. They also require a calcium source for shell health (cuttlebone is ideal) and a protein source offered occasionally. Always wash food thoroughly before feeding.
- Water: Provide a shallow dish of filtered water for drinking and bathing.
- Handling: Snails can be handled safely, but always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water both before and after handling to prevent the spread of pathogens. Supervise children when they handle snails and ensure they also practice good hand hygiene.
Conclusion: Welcoming a Snail into Your Life
Bringing a pet snail into your home can be a rewarding experience. Whether you find them in your garden, connect with a breeder, or find them through a pet supplier, understanding where to get pet snails is the first step. With their low-maintenance care, quiet nature, and intriguing behaviors, snails make fascinating and unique pets for individuals and families alike. By providing a suitable habitat, proper diet, and gentle handling, you can enjoy the company of these gentle mollusks for many years to come.
