Snakes and snails...?

[Plissken]

Sorry for yet another new thread by me, but I have a question I am hoping someone can answer.

As some of you may know I currently have a minor infestation of snake mites among my reptiles. Not severe and I think I'm clearing it up, but I am slightly concerned as I'm picking up a couple of Giant African Land Snails shortly and I don't know if the mites could harm my snails.

So, if the mites did come across my snails, would they jump on the snails? Or do they only use snakes as hosts? And also, can snails carry mites/diseases/parasites which will be harmful to my snakes?

Apologies for this odd query, but I'm paranoid about mites atm Of course I hope to have cleared up the mites before any new animal comes, but just in case there are a few wandering about that I missed... they get all round the house so I heard... :shrugs:

 

[Chris Olson]

Plissken,
I don't think the mites will affect your snail, but I'm not 100% sure. I do know that they can't harm mammals and that they cannot jump....but they can crawl, and be accidentally transported via your clothes, hands or anything else that finds it's self moving from one cage to another. I did a google search on your snail and couldn't find anything that discussed specific health issues or parasites that could be harmful to you snakes.

Chris

 

[gwb's]

:eek1: GIANT african land snails? :eek1:

 

[Plissken]

Thanks Chris. I don't think there will be a problem, but it's always best to ask.

:eek1: GIANT african land snails? :eek1:

Indeed Some of them can grow up to a foot in length. I love snails, I had one when I was a kid and I'm desperate to keep them again.

 

[Tula_Montage]

Thanks Chris. I don't think there will be a problem, but it's always best to ask.



Indeed Some of them can grow up to a foot in length. I love snails, I had one when I was a kid and I'm desperate to keep them again.

DONT GET 2!!! I had them for a while and they are PROLIFIC breeders...
Its not easy to shift 1000 snails each year

But they are great wee creatures!

 

[Plissken]

DONT GET 2!!! I had them for a while and they are PROLIFIC breeders...
Its not easy to shift 1000 snails each year

But they are great wee creatures!

Don't worry, I'm aware of the breeding thing and they will be in seperate homes

Just a question, what substrates are suitable for snails? I used to use compost peat/soil, but I don't like it much... are there any commercially available reptile substrates I can use and which are available in the UK?

 

[Tula_Montage]

I tried dry reptile bark for a while, however its very hard to keep a constant high humidity. I found that expandable forrest floor pete blocks work great! Holds the moisture and doesnt cause mould.

 

[gwb's]

Let me get this straight, a snail that is a FOOT long???? Oh my. And I don't even want to think of 2~foot long snails BREEDING.:nope:

 

[Tula_Montage]

They are funny little things... Or should I say GIANT!!

+ pliss, If you havent seen this site its quite good
http://www.geocities.com/heartland/valley/6210/

 

[Scrub]

I was gonna get a baby one off of friend5 years ago for £1, and I was organizing everything, making arrangements for it's tank and stuff... when my mum says something about them carrying meningitis ( :shrugs: ) , so she didn't let me have one in the end

 

[Eremita]

DONT GET 2!!! I had them for a while and they are PROLIFIC breeders...
Its not easy to shift 1000 snails each year

So I guess, unlike slugs, these do not self-fertilize if they get too lonely?

-Sean

 

[Plissken]

So I guess, unlike slugs, these do not self-fertilize if they get too lonely?

-Sean

No. Giant snails require a partner.

Thanks for the link Elle

 

[Ssthisto]

Its not easy to shift 1000 snails each year

Unless you also keep legless lizards...