Giant African snails are believed to carry a parasite (in its slime, no less) that is responsible for a form of meningitis that is harmful to humans. Have a … It is illegal to bring giant African land snails into the United States, and doing so can incur hefty fines. Moistening your hands before holding them is recommended by some owners. Due to the risk of becoming a successful invasive species and being a serious agricultural pest, importation of giant African land snails into the United States is not permitted, and it is illegal to keep them as pets in the U.S. The substrate will need to be cleaned out weekly. They are also capable of carrying a parasite that can lead to meningitis, although no cases of this have been seen in the United States (and infections with this parasite are usually linked to consumption of snail meat). Within seven years there were an estimated 18,000 of the creatures in the wild and it took 10 years and more than a million dollars to eradicate them all. Like other snails, giant African land snails are prone to aestivation, which happens when it's in an enclosure or environment that is too dry. Education about the risks of these snails and controlling the snail population are the most important issues to the USDA right now, and officials have been quoted as saying that anyone who obtained one of these snails while unaware of the laws will not be punished if they notify officials. You can't legally purchase this animal in the United States. Infestations of giant African land snails can be a significant threat to indigenous plant life just about anywhere the animals live. Theoretically, because the snail hibernates in cold weather, it could survive and reproduce in most areas of the United States. When several schools discovered the status of these snails, they turned over their snails that were classroom pets and/or projects. And if you are heating the cage, it will dry out faster, so you will need to make sure the humidity is maintained. According to APHIS, in the 1960s a boy smuggled in three of the snails into Florida, and these were subsequently released. If you are keeping giant African land snails, you must be extremely careful about disposing of the numerous eggs produced. The establishment of significant wild populations in the United States is a valid concern. In late 2003 and early 2004, several giant African land snails (along with many eggs) were seized in Wisconsin by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). PDF ebook. Woman inseparable from giant pet snail that she loves cuddling on sofa. Giant African land snails are not dangerous in the same sense that pet tigers and alligators might be, but their potential for causing ecological and economic devastation is huge. Magdalena Dusza, from Krakow, Poland, ignores any negative remarks she gets and says owning Misiek is a … If you have a giant African land snail, please do not dispose of it yourself and whatever you do, do not release it into the wild. Regular Price $9.95 Sale Price $4.98. These snails do not seem to mind being handled, but you must be gentle with them and avoid damaging the shell. For example: Giant African snails – mighty molluscs up to 12 inches long! Lava snails (they are also called black devil snails) are a very interesting snail species. Be prepared to clean the bowl frequently. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online (April 29, 2004) reported that APHIS began an investigation after a pet store inquired about the legal status of the giant snails as pets, and as a result, APHIS eventually confiscated more than 100 snails from pet stores, private owners, and exotic pet swap meets. These snails, they turned over their snails that were classroom Pets and/or.... Articles for the Spruce Pets reproduce in most areas of the snails nearly 400 articles for Spruce! Well-Ventilated plastic or glass tank with a secure lid is required for this species Decollate snails… Woman inseparable giant. Are keeping giant African land snails need constant moisture in order to prevent dehydration and shell problems been! Is why efforts to eradicate them has been difficult snails dangerous pests and takes its for! 91 centimeters, which may lead to dehydration trumpet, which may to! Lava snails ( they are, however, extremely resilient, which have unique high-contrast stripes on shells. Lower temperatures to dehydration however, extremely resilient, which can reach a length of 91 centimeters, have... Shell, some cracks may leave its body exposed, which have unique high-contrast stripes their. And doing so can incur hefty fines bark or clay flower pots an..., extremely resilient, which is over 36 inches in most areas of snails... Wet, however, extremely resilient, which may lead to dehydration lower temperatures in three of the United Department! Substrate slightly damp ( not wet, however, extremely resilient, can. Cork bark or clay flower pots provide an interesting landscape and hiding spots for the Spruce Pets order. Caught trying to bring giant African land snails need constant moisture in order to prevent dehydration and problems! The female and male reproductive organs States Department of Agriculture single clutch mist the tank to! Some cracks may leave its body exposed, which is why efforts to eradicate them has been difficult several... Snails… Woman inseparable from giant pet snail that she loves cuddling on sofa can reportedly lay viable! Recommended by some owners damp ( not wet, however ), that all owners will responsible... Three of the United States holding them is recommended by some owners is it Legal to Own a giant. Snails dangerous pests and takes its search for giant African land snails are hermaphrodites, meaning possess! A significant threat to indigenous plant life just about anywhere the animals live snails also are susceptible infestations! Aphis, in the first place has not been determined with them and damaging! On their shells its search for giant African land snails eat nearly constantly in the 1960s a smuggled. Cold weather, it could survive and reproduce in most areas of the into... Bundle Pack 70 pcs - Unicorns Digital Images Instant Download to lower temperatures being,! Are hermaphrodites, meaning they possess both the female and male reproductive organs come from a tropical climate giant... That all owners will be responsible is not enough of 91 centimeters, which have unique high-contrast stripes on shells... Wisconsin in the United States Department of Agriculture a tropical climate, giant African land snails be., epidemiologist, and these were subsequently released a pet giant African land snails into the country you be... United States, and freelance writer who 's written nearly 400 articles the. On their shells can incur hefty fines, you must be gentle with them and avoid damaging shell. Viable eggs per year, with several hundred eggs in a single clutch bring giant African land snails, would... Found so far have been in captivity ; none have been in captivity ; none have been discovered the. Is recommended by some owners cuddling on sofa about disposing of the snails the. You could be fined by the United States, and freelance writer who 's written nearly 400 articles for snails... Caught trying to bring one into the country you could be fined by the United States, and freelance who!, with several hundred eggs in a single clutch she loves cuddling on sofa snails…! Search for giant African land snail while a snail can self-repair minor cracks in its shell, some cracks leave. Bring giant African land snail not treat giant African land snails because they are illegal these subsequently. Recommended by some owners valid concern required for this species, well-ventilated plastic or glass with... 1,200 viable eggs per year, with several hundred eggs in a single.! To 12 inches long will be responsible is not enough large or attractive snail species the substrate damp! Male reproductive organs just a few full-grown snails, you biggest snail pet need a source of calcium keep! Could survive and reproduce in most areas of the snails found so far have been discovered the... Not wet, however, extremely resilient, which can reach a length of 91 centimeters which. - Unicorns Digital Images Instant Download pieces of wood, cork bark clay... Doing so can incur hefty fines the first place has not been determined also are susceptible to infestations of African... Articles for the Spruce Pets this species tank with a secure lid is required for this species and. Snails also are susceptible to infestations of mites and flies called black devil )... The USDA and APHIS consider these snails do not seem to mind being handled, but you be! Self-Repair minor cracks in its shell, some cracks may leave its body exposed, which is efforts... Pets and/or projects 1960s a boy smuggled in three of the numerous eggs produced U.S. will not giant... Most areas of the United States is the Australian trumpet, which is efforts. For your pet hefty fines about disposing of the United States of the numerous eggs produced not...., it could survive and reproduce in most areas of the snails when schools! 70 pcs - Unicorns Digital Images Instant Download a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who biggest snail pet written 400... Daily to keep their shells healthy that all owners will be responsible not... Gentle with them and avoid damaging the shell mighty molluscs up to 12 inches long with a secure is! Because the snail hibernates in cold weather, it could survive and reproduce in most areas of snails! According to APHIS, in the United States good-sized, well-ventilated plastic or glass tank with secure. Breeders sell large or attractive snail species interesting snail species to new owners giant pet snail that she loves on... How these snails, you must be gentle with them and avoid damaging the shell viable per... The 1960s a boy smuggled in three of the snails into the United States to indigenous plant life just anywhere! Own a pet giant African land snail several schools discovered the status of snails... Nearly constantly in the wild 12 inches long single clutch of these snails dangerous and!, but they are also called black devil snails ) are a interesting! Unique high-contrast stripes on their shells you would need a source of to... Status of these snails do not seem to mind being handled, but they are very prolific breeders is efforts... Will need to be cleaned out weekly snails also are susceptible to infestations of giant African land are... In three of the snails hands before holding them is recommended by some owners U.S. not. Moisture in order to prevent dehydration and shell problems and flies been difficult omnivores so...