How to Keep Your Pet Snail Healthy and Happy

Land snails may be unconventional pets, but they are quiet, fun to watch, and easy to care for. If you are thinking about keeping a pet snail, be sure to research your state’s specific wildlife regulations, as some species may be prohibited. However, local, non-invasive species, such as garden snails (Cornu aspersum), can make great pets. Let’s take a look at the best things you can do to keep your pet snail happy and healthy.

Where to Keep a Pet Snail

Land snails need a small enclosure made of glass or plastic. Your pet snail can safely be kept in a 5-gallon tank, but a 10-gallon tank would allow for future growth and additional snails. They do not need a heat source, but they do require high humidity of 70%-80%. Ensure the lid of the terrarium fits tightly to prevent escape and maintain humidity. The lid must also have sufficient ventilation holes. Place your terrarium out of direct sunlight and away from drafty doors and windows. Garden snails only feed when temperatures are between 40° and 66°F, but they are more active in warm, humid conditions.

You can purchase sterilized soil that is made for pet terrariums. You can use backyard soil, but it must be sterilized first to eliminate parasites and other potential pathogens. Sphagnum moss is also a great addition that can hold moisture in the enclosure. Add at least 2–4 inches of substrate to give it room to burrow. The substrate also protects your snail’s shell during falls. It also cushions your snail’s shell during falls. Use chemically neutral water to keep your substrate damp but not wet. Add leaves, bark, and branches to encourage crawling and climbing, but do not put rocks or other hard objects in the terrarium to avoid shell injuries. Your snail will also need hides made of moss or another soft substance.

Cleaning Your Snail’s Enclosure

Place your snails in a safe, ventilated container during maintenance. To keep your snail’s enclosure clean, remove feces regularly. Wipe down the tank walls using only hot water and paper towels. Do not use cleaners or disinfectants, as they can harm your snail. Wash any hides, plants, and dishes by soaking in hot water.

Turn the substrate over several times per week to aerate the soil. Experts recommend replacing around one-third to one-half of the soil every 2 to 3 months to keep it fresh without losing beneficial bacteria. The substrate should never be completely replaced except in emergencies, such as mold or parasite outbreaks.

What to Feed Your Pet Snail

Generally, snails will happily eat leaves and other plant material, algae, fruits, and vegetables. Garden snails commonly eat vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, lettuce, sweet potato, cucumbers, and more. Fruits include apples, pears, peaches, mangoes, bananas, melons, and strawberries, among others. Avoid citrus, as it is too acidic. Snails also require calcium. Experts recommend placing a piece of cuttlebone, which you can find in the bird section of the pet store, in your snail’s terrarium for it to graze on.

Feed your snail daily. Wash all produce and cut it into manageable pieces. To feed your snail, simply place the food on a small, flat plate. Dispose of any uneaten food after 24 to 48 hours to prevent it from rotting. Garden snails typically get the moisture they need from the humidity and their food. However, you may want to place a small, shallow water dish in the enclosure, depending on the size of your snail, as small snails risk drowning.

Can I Keep My Snails with Other Animals?

Some snails can live with others, while some cannot. If you want to keep multiple snails, it is best to house snails of the same species together. In fact, garden snails often group together in the wild. While they are not social in the traditional sense, they are not territorial or aggressive and can easily live together provided there is plenty of room and sufficient resources.

If you decide to have multiple garden snails, keep in mind that these snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female sexual organs. So if two snails are together, they can have offspring. If you do not want the eggs to hatch, collect them and freeze them for 48 hours to humanely dispose of them. Snails do not require companionship and can thrive when kept alone.

Illnesses or Injuries

The most common injuries are shell damage from falls or drops. Snails may also suffer from mantle prolapse, where the shell separates from the body, often due to improper handling, such as quickly picking up a snail by its shell. Other health risks include dehydration, calcium deficiencies, mites, parasites, fungal issues, and bacterial infections often caused by poor enclosure maintenance.

If your snail retracts its body deeply into its shell, it is often a sign of stress or illness. It can also be caused by dehydration. If you believe your snail is ill or injured, contact a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals, particularly invertebrates, for advice.