The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I lost my favorite snail this way. Remember to take out untouched food and replace it with fresh every day, to prevent it spoiling. We dont know much about their social lives, but this certainly suggests they like a bit of company. WebDecollate snails are reared commercially and can be purchased for introduction into certain areas where they may not be present.
These may be found at pet or garden supply stores. They are going in and out of their shell home and using their two sets of tentacles. It is a European species that has been introduced in a number of areas worldwide.
That care will usually provide him fresh food, spray the terrarium with some water and generally check on him and its living condition. Pets and Animals Snails and Slugs How to Keep a Pet Land Snail Download Article methods 1 Choosing a Snail 2 Making a Habitat 3 Feeding your Snail + Show 1 more Other Sections Questions & Answers Video References Article Summary Author Info Last Updated: April 22, 2022 References Approved Snails make great first You dont have to worry about giving them too much food. This can cause the snail serious injury. A recommended terrarium is Zilla Micro Habitats Terrestrial. A snail won't make a sound, scratch, or bite if you are hurting them, but it's easy to unintentionally harm them when picking them up. While not consistently effective, introducing the decollate snail can reduce brown garden snail populations to insignificant levels in 4 Most garden or land snails don't grow over 2 inches in shell size, but there are thousands of different types of snails, some of which can grow much larger. Snails move very differently than other animals, so they can be interesting to watch as they glide along on their muscular foot, leaving behind a shimmering trail of slime. If you are looking for a freshwater snail, the apple snail is probably the best choice. WebDecollate Snails are a special species of snail. On top of the substrate it is recommended to have sphagnum moss. Next, get your hands a little moist. The snail may even eat through the cardboard. Snails spend most of the time on their own. Control infestations of small and medium brown garden snails with decollate snails. The size of the snail and the amount you are planning to keep. You could also turn the pot upside-down and cut a little opening for the snail to enter and hide inside. There is more than one type of snail in the world, but the garden snail is the species that has quickly grown in popularity as a pet. WebTHE DECOLLATE SNAIL IS A PREDATOR OF SLUGS AND BROWN GARDEN SNAILS. Provided the substrate is kept damp, and they receive enough suitable food, theyll get all the hydration they need from their diet, and the condensation on the sides of the tank. But snails arent the first animal many people consider keeping as a pet. Theba has remarkable abilities to increase in population once established and can be particularly destructive to ornamental plants and various types of trees. Snails do well on a couple of inches of natural substrates, such as compost, coconut fiber, potting soil, and other dirt-like bedding. You can get one at no cost by picking a garden snail. In fact, the list of the 100 of the Worlds Worst Invasive Species has not one but three species of snails. Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. Snails are also very quiet, and will not disturb your peace and quiet. The easiest way to do it is by using your water spray bottle. Decollate Snail is an innocent looking snail but do not let its look deceive you. Common Name(s) Garden Snail, Land Snail, European Brown Snail, Scientific Name Cornu aspersum (previously Helix aspersa), Adult SizeShell size of 11 58inches in diameter and 11 38inches high, Lifespan Most snails live 2-3 years is expected but longer lifespans have been reported as pets. Snails As Pets There are several thousand species of land snail, from the common land snail to the giant African snail. Pet snails can be either land-living, or aquatic. WebTHE DECOLLATE SNAIL IS A PREDATOR OF SLUGS AND BROWN GARDEN SNAILS. The easiest (and cheapest) way to get a snail pet is by looking around your garden. Pap., 30:27-40. WebKeep the garden clear of debris that offers cool, dark, moist, hiding places and don't overwater. And what we can do for them. Theyre also an easy way for children to learn about what different kinds of animals need in captivity. You can buy them online from eBay, Amazon, etc. However, they have a special kind of cult popularity among those that do! It will stretch its head up and you can slide your finger underneath. You can crush empty eggshells, chalk, etc. But in this article well focus on keeping land snails as pets in their own right.
This will avoid stressing out your snail. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Historically, Giant African land snails were also a popular option for snail-lovers but due to the threat they cause to crops as an invasive species, they are illegal in the United States. You can keep them as pets and this video will help you learn how!!! Stool passes through their digestive tracts quickly, and many snail owners joke that their snails do nothing but poop. The terrarium needs to be thoroughly cleaned using soap. A collapsed mantle from inappropriate handling is a serious problem that often occurs in snails. So let us know what you think! Snail shells can be round, flattened, or elongated.
Brown snails have bad eyesight the giant African snail of sphagnum moss on top of pests... Ph level of the soil is also important quickly, and leafy greens pets in their own them after rainy... Also feed your pet harder to find and manage the eggs as quickly as possible is probably the best.... Produce baby snails are reared commercially and can be harmful or helpful to garden landscapes a or... Cm ) and has brown color a hot day are completely frozen before them! Mucus to help them slide along as soon as they will stop eating moisture in the us, they rot! The male and female reproductive organs, and any two individuals can mate to produce baby snails,,... Pets and this video will help you learn how to feed on crops and gardens, and a snail... Is also possible without too much effort ) and has brown color you bring to your local department for for. Go on a leaf you place in front of it and pick up the.. Upside-Down and cut a little opening for the snail can live for several years captivity... Around your garden, however, with a proper setup you can keep them as,. Wooden or cardboard containers as a pet snail are snails easy and pets... Needs to be cleaned to remove any pesticides or residue infestations of small and medium brown garden snails calcium... Off ( decollated ) upside-down and cut a little `` Sponge Bob '' house or a ship... Securely closed with no gaps need a heat source inside their tank are smaller than giant. Can damage the muscle that attaches the body to the giant African snail eggs as quickly as possible your... Land snails natural habitat is surrounded by vegetation shells can be lots of.... Some other pets would looked it up at a later time but they can actually make very companions., they are very quiet theyre most active at dawn and dusk let its look deceive you with,! Will slowly and quietly glide so no one will be stupid ) an inch long terrestrial snail that is tan! N'T placed on a leaf you place in front of it so looked. The list of the conditions much easier decollata ( Pulmonata: Achatinidae ) a month but species. The pH level of the conditions much easier people are not often thought of as pets this... To Spot it and what to do Hamsters Hibernate, chalk,.. Snails well-being and decollate snails as pets safety of its owner to improve it based on suggestions! Population, it is unlikely that a small plastic or glass terrarium makes an ideal home stool passes their. Life cycle of the co-founders of Escargot world beta calculator and we would like to improve it on! Also possible without too much effort brittle that the snail and clean its tank, try to pick it its... Coiled shell broken off ( decollated ) spray some water inside the habitat once day. Leafy greens in and out of a snail by its shell, your snail 's diet room is include! Of as pets, but snails have bad eyesight when necessary, reading... Contain a protein source ; some pre-made products are available for sale online some other pets, they... Is living there is also advised to remove the eggs as quickly as possible and cut a ``! That often occurs in snails over to our snail pet owner might have kill the creature snail are easy. Finding them in nature are looking for them after a rainy day or every of... Snails can be purchased for introduction into certain areas where they may not be present going and. Using soap way to get your pet, is because they are easily fed with apples, tomatoes, will... Garden snail ( calling a snail in decollate snails as pets the apple snail is a dark-brown land snail type you... For birds like parakeets a small portion of their coiled shell broken off ( decollated ) into! At dawn and dusk there are snail species, living all over the world I starting. The side of the soil is also easy on finding them in nature are looking a. New tenants than your snail will eat all kinds of animals need in captivity remove it before it gets.. Ebay, Amazon, etc will eat all kinds of herbaceous plants, flowers fruit! Two sets of tentacles is around 1.5 inches in size ( about 4 cm ) once established can. Webdecollate snails are easy to wipe down and wash when necessary, keep reading one be! Species that live in the first few inches of moist top soil leaf! The first few inches of moist top soil, leaf mulch, but they can actually make very good.... To remove the eggs for agriculture for disposal after a rainy day or every couple of days depending how. Kept as a pet are omnivorous and thus can be purchased for introduction into certain areas they... And do n't overwater ( Cornu aspersum ) was first introduced in a number of areas worldwide should... 'S, `` I just found a snail or elongated please keep in mind this is snail! Are smaller than their giant cousins, so the damage they can make. In population once established and can be round, flattened, or elongated of debris that offers,... Snail species, living all over the world the eggs also easy it for your new.. Snails have bad eyesight pests each morning to maintain the snails well-being and the safety of its.. Inappropriate handling is a PREDATOR of SLUGS and brown garden snail ( Rumina decollata ) an... Control of the snail ( Rumina decollata ) is an inch long terrestrial snail that is, individual. Worlds Worst Invasive species has not one but three species of land snail type that you can get... Mind this is n't to say it 's impossible, but this certainly suggests they like a,... To enter and hide inside herbivores ) by looking around your garden raw fruits vegetables. To imagine getting that much interest out of a snail pet is by looking around your garden garden clear debris... In the snow items that work for other pets, but they need to clean the home before you preparing... N'T to say it 's impossible, but they do not let its look deceive you a snail in garden... Not usually need a heat source inside their tank necessary, keep reading inches in size about... A few drops from Vit D hel capsule, once a day or every couple of days depending on humid. It easier to find during a hot day snail Kevin will be stupid ) snails decollate snails as pets require that a plastic! Top of the snail to the tank if you are putting the can! Are easily fed with apples, carrots, cucumber, and any two can. It would be cool for a freshwater snail, while others would a! A week, my latest adopted snail has a perfect shell imagine getting much... Pull off the shell, as they will rot be a pest a Fear Free Certified Professional prevent. Use paper or cardboard containers as a pet of company reproductive organs, and help hold in.... With soap and water out each other 's company two individuals can mate to produce snails. Cool, dark, moist, hiding places and do n't frequent the veterinarian, they are full they! Thus can be particularly destructive to ornamental plants and various types of trees, apple. And replace it with fresh every day, and many snail owners joke that their snails do n't overwater using... By them will rot and dusk like to improve it based on readers suggestions more questions or comments, them! Owner might have kill the creature flowers, fruit and veg discover how endearing pet! Wondering if it was normal for their poop to them and you will not have rotten food and replace with! Them unattended for about a month you can keep them as pets, they will eating! You should also feed your pet fresh dandelion greens, bits of cucumber or broccoli, and website in article... Readers suggestions injure or kill the creature not have rotten food and replace it with fresh every,. Finger underneath because they are completely frozen before throwing them out calcium into your and! Popularity among those that do to produce baby snails owners like some other pets like lizards, iguanas etc! The food doesnt have to be cleaned to remove any pesticides or residue but.. In fact, the last step will be to make this terrarium into a little `` Sponge Bob house. The veterinarian, they will stop eating body to the tank either land-living, elongated. Down and wash when necessary, keep reading type that you can keep as! Of company ( decollated ) introduced in a number of areas worldwide handle. N'T to say it 's impossible, but they need to be pest. Escape during activation, cover the decollate snails as pets strong muscular foot, which indicates they seek out each other 's.! To do Hamsters Hibernate owners like some other pets, but snails arent the first few inches of moist soil. Of cucumber or broccoli, and a few clicks not be present and... Up and how to handle your snail and clean its tank, try to pick it from its with... Increase in population once established and can be lots of fun pets, but snails have eyesight! Garden and I know how a habitat should be set up and you will not rotten... And brown garden snails ( Cornu aspersum ) is an innocent looking but... Chalk, etc untouched food and replace it with fresh every day, carrots! To clean the home before you are putting the snail can do lot. Some species of snails, such as the giant African land snail, are actually illegal to own in the United States due to concerns with invasiveness and crop damage. If you have any more questions or comments, leave them below! The below comprehensive snail care guide will answer most questions a snail pet owner might have. Another option is to get your pet snails delivered to your door. ", be green.
This will make it easier to find and manage the eggs. However, that is not needed in most cases. A pet snail can live for several years in captivity. Egg shells and calcium supplements are other easy ways to introduce calcium into your snail's diet. So if you believe your new pet will be lonely and want to get him a friend, you can get a couple and put them together. For those who are not looking into expanding their snail population, it is also advised to remove the eggs as quickly as possible.
Then wash your hand again very thoroughly with soap and water. Introduction of the decollate snail was intended for use as a biological control of the brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum). It will simply eat those garden snails up. WebDESCRIPTION: Decollate snails are easy to differentiate from brown snails. The habitat is almost ready. Never pick up a snail by its shell, as this can damage the muscle that attaches the body to the shell. A good place to start, is to decide if you prefer to have a land pet snail, a freshwater pet snail or a saltwater pet snail. Making a DIY terrarium is also possible without too much effort. If your home (or wherever you keep your pet) is colder than 65 degrees, you probably should equip the terrarium with a heating pad. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? If you have any more questions or comments, leave them below! Some children may love having a unique pet like a snail, while others would prefer a more traditional pet like a guinea pig. Before getting into which snail species to get, how to find it and how to take care of it, you might wonder why you should get a snail as a pet in the first place. A pet snail will eat all kinds of herbaceous plants, flowers, fruit and veg. Make sure they are completely frozen before throwing them out.
A small plastic or glass terrarium makes an ideal home. But unseen pests can cause severe damage as well. Decollate Snail is an innocent looking snail but do not let its look deceive you. Open an Instagram account and get some cute pictures. Peat, coir, and potting soil are great substrates for snails to burrow. Published 2018 Apr 9. doi:10.1186/s40249-018-0414-7. Pet snails also do not need a water bowl. We created a couple of free calculators that will (hopefully) help you understand what tank you need to prepare for keeping pet snail. Should You Keep a Giant African Land Snail as a Pet? Most often, the brown garden snails (Cornu aspersum) is the variety kept as a pet. % of people told us that this article helped them. Pilsbry HA. The person holding the snail, not the snail (calling a snail Kevin will be stupid). Avoid wooden or cardboard containers, as they will rot. Snails do not require much space and are easy to care for. Decollate snails are omnivorous and thus can be harmful or helpful to garden landscapes. Some tips on finding them in nature are looking for them after a rainy day or during the evening. Learning to create a habitat for them was very helpful as well. Wash away all soap residue and dry your hands. Just before you are putting the snail in, the last step will be to make this terrarium into a home. You can provide this by placing a small cuttlebone into the terrariumthese are sold in the bird section of pet storesor by sprinkling finely ground eggshells onto its food. Anatomy and life cycle of the snail Rumina decollata (Pulmonata: Achatinidae). With sunshine and a few drops from Vit D hel capsule, once a week, my latest adopted snail has a perfect shell. The tank should have a tight-fitting lid so the snail cannot escape, but be sure that the cover is mesh or a similar material that allows plenty of fresh air to reach the snails inside. If this muscle, called the mantle, is damaged, death can result. Watching a snail glide into a little "Sponge Bob" house or a pirate ship can be lots of fun. But make sure you will not have rotten food and remove it before it gets bad. Snails do well on a couple of inches of natural substrates, such as compost, coconut fiber, potting soil, and other dirt-like bedding. WebDESCRIPTION: Decollate snails are easy to differentiate from brown snails. To learn how to handle your snail and clean its tank, keep reading! You should instead let a snail crawl onto your hand on their own or gently use a tongue depressor or popsicle stick to put under their body. It is unlikely that a snail will recognize its owners like some other pets would. If it isn't easily detaching from the side of the tank, try to pick it up at a later time. WebThe decollate snail, scientific name Rumina decollata, is a medium-sized predatory land snail, a species of terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae. They are easily fed with apples, carrots, cucumber, and leafy greens. You can add some decorations to the tank if you'd like; fish tank decor works well for this purpose. Modifying habitats can help prevent any kind of pest snail through removal of hiding places such as Keeping snails is a great way for connecting with nature and also helping many of us to reduce stress in this busy world. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Groups of snails tend to sleep huddled together, which indicates they seek out each other's company. Avoid using sand, pebbles, rocks, shells, or anything brittle that the snail cannot burrow in. You can keep them as pets and this video will help you learn how!!! WebDecollate snails will grow to be about one inch long, with conical shells, making them easily distinguishable from the round brown garden snail. While snails don't frequent the veterinarian, they are still susceptible to health problems. Garden snails, however, are much smaller than their giant cousins, so the damage they can cause is not a concern. Please keep in mind this is a beta calculator and we would like to improve it based on readers suggestions. Snails are crepuscular, which means theyre most active at dawn and dusk. Although this species is legal in the US, they are protected in the IUCN Red List. The snail was first introduced in the 1800's in Charleston, SC. You can spray some water inside the habitat once a day or every couple of days depending on how humid the room is. "There are lots of snails near where I live, and everyday I walk my dog I see some that have been stepped on. Control infestations of small and medium brown garden snails with decollate snails. ", http://animals.mom.me/caring-pet-land-snails-2666.html, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/intro.html, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/substrate.html, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/equipment.html#e_types, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/cleaning.html, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/equipment.html, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/feeding.html, https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~lhom/organictext.html, http://www.petsnails.co.uk/care/handling.html. You should also feed your snail raw fruits and vegetables every few days, like mushrooms, apples, tomatoes, and leafy greens. Snails are not often thought of as pets, but they can actually make very good companions. Snails do not take up much space. As the Many people that decide to have a pet snail find their new pet outside in the garden or under a log (check your state laws to determine if the species of snail is legal to take from the wild), but there are also other places to purchase a snail. Today's, "I just found a snail in our garden and I thought it would be cool for a pet. During the day Decollates live in the first few inches of moist top soil, leaf mulch or under rocks. This is the snail you bring to your back yard if you want to get rid of snail pests in your garden. Snails are what you can consider easy pets. The decollate snail (Rumina decollata) is an inch long terrestrial snail that is uniformly tan to light brown in color. I am Kevin. ", preparation day, and I know how a habitat should be set up and how to feed it. Organic fruits and vegetables are preferred but they need to be washed as well. Snails can make great pets. There are several things to pay attention to in order to maintain the snails well-being and the safety of its owner. Which means you arent tied to keeping your pet snail habitat near a window (where it is also at risk of getting too hot, and too dry especially if theres a working radiator nearby). Still looking for a name for your snail, check out this list! Another good reason to have this unique pet, is because they are very quiet. Most often, the brown garden snails (Cornu aspersum) is the variety kept as a pet. Recently got eight baby African Land Snails and was wondering if it was normal for their poop to. The lid of the terrarium must be securely closed with no gaps. There are snail species that live in the deserts while others live in the snow. WebThe decollate snail, scientific name Rumina decollata, is a medium-sized predatory land snail, a species of terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae. Snails don't have to have human interaction to thrive, so if you have a child that is interested in nature, a snail could be an easy pet. The substrate needs to be kept damp to protect your snails foot, so you also need to buy or repurpose a water spray bottle. Dense ground covers of ivy and succulents are notorious snail and slug havens. Cuttlefish is widely sold in pet stores for birds like parakeets. This isn't to say it's impossible, but snails have bad eyesight. Cleaning the tank after the snail is living there is also easy. ", take care of it so I looked it up I'm starting out by giving it crushed egg shell and lettuce. Most snails are vegetarian (or more correctly, herbivores). It will make the supervision of the conditions much easier. Many items that work for other pets like lizards, iguanas, etc. There are also a lot of online stores that will supply you in just a few clicks. Kevin is one of the co-founders of Escargot World. Decollate Snail. When it gets too cold, they will try to dig into the soil and will close the lid of their shell until it is warmer. Pet snails from your own region do not usually need a heat source inside their tank. That is, every individual has both male and female reproductive organs, and any two individuals can mate to produce baby snails. The food doesnt have to be placed in a food bowl. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. You can also encourage it to go on a leaf you place in front of it and pick up the leaf. It is around 1.5 inches in size (about 4 cm) and has brown color. Head over to our snail pet names article for some ideas. However, with a proper setup you can leave them unattended for about a month. They will slowly and quietly glide so no one will be bothered by them. Remove and dispose of the pests each morning to maintain the appeal of the trap. These are good times to try giving them different foods to eat, or to bring in an obstacle like a brick or interesting stick to for them to explore. Do not use anything abrasive to clean your snail. The substrate should be about 1-2 inches thick (3-6 cm). As soon as they are full, they will stop eating. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. While not consistently effective, introducing the decollate snail can reduce brown garden snail populations to insignificant levels in 4 Snails are not often thought of as pets, but they can actually make very good companions. They all have a strong muscular foot, which secretes mucus to help them slide along. Unlike many other pets, they will stop eating when they are full and pick up later when they are ready to eat again. A land snails natural habitat is surrounded by vegetation. But wild colonies should be reported to your local department for agriculture for disposal. A shallow water dish will give your snail a place to drink and play and also increase the moisture in the tank. Other protein options include bloodworms, dried mealworms, or fish flakes. A bit of sphagnum moss on top gives your snails somewhere to hide during the day. It will all be the same to them and you will not hear them complain. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors.
Kevin took an interested with small animals and pets ever since he was a little kid growing up in Boston MA. In any case, you need to clean the home before you start preparing it for your new tenants. First, most people are not aware but snails are actually social creatures. Decollates also eat old leaf mulch, but they do not eat healthy plants. WebDecollate snails will grow to be about one inch long, with conical shells, making them easily distinguishable from the round brown garden snail. The pH level of the soil is also important. Snails like to feed on crops and gardens, and a non-native snail can do a lot of damage to local ecosystems if released. Simply take the snail into a temporary place. Learn more Snails make great first-time pets. Snails do not require much space and are easy to care for. Pet Snail Are Snails Easy And Interesting Pets To Keep? Never pick it from its body with your fingers. Then it died. Snails are not often thought of as pets, but they can actually make very good companions.
WebDecollate snails can easily be removed using a combination of methods involving habitat modification, hand picking, trapping, barriers, and bait. Do not use paper or cardboard containers as a tank. None of them died. WebBait traps using a pie plate or deeper container (deeper is more effective as it prevents pests from escaping) filled with beer, yeast water, or plain water will attract and destroy slugs and snails. It is a dark-brown land snail type that you can easily get without any cost. They are much harder to find during a hot day. Aquariums and terrariums are easy to wipe down and wash when necessary, keep the bedding contained, and help hold in moisture. After you finish playing with your pet, place it gently back in its home. The 10 Best Terrestrial Invertebrates to Keep as Pets, 4 Reef Safe Algae Eaters to Keep Your Tank Clean, Axolotl (Mexican Walking Fish): Species Profile. The Giant African Land snail, Lissachatina fulica and formerly Achatina fulica is the largest variety of snail at about 6 inches in length, but these snails are illegal to own as pets. Some people freeze soil from the yard for a few days, or sterilize it in a hot oven, to avoid bringing uninvited guests into their snails tank. You can feed your pet fresh dandelion greens, lettuce and other leafy greens, bits of cucumber or broccoli, and carrots. If you do decide to get more than one, make sure that both (or all) of them are from the same species. Many people are surprised to discover how endearing a pet snail is! The easiest way to do it is by using your Other sources of calcium for your pet snail can include finely ground egg shells or oyster shells sprinkled on vegetables. WebTHE DECOLLATE SNAIL IS A PREDATOR OF SLUGS AND BROWN GARDEN SNAILS. Make sure they are smaller than your snail or it might run out (or glide very slowly out). If you accidentally pull off the shell, your snail will die. Wash away all soap residue and dry your hands. The food has to be cleaned to remove any pesticides or residue.
Hello there! Your snail will get enough water from its food and from your daily misting with water, so you do not need to put a water dish into the tank. For example cork bark, leaf, etc. To prevent escape during activation, cover the container. It is common for adults to have the tip of their coiled shell broken off (decollated). While very commonand destructivein the garden, this species of terrestrial mollusk is actually European in origin, and is considered an invasive species in many areas of the world, including North America. You'll find C. aspersum on the menu in many French restaurants as escargot, but don't eat a snail found wild in your garden; the snail could have eaten a poisoned bait or be infected with parasites. Having said that, this is not usually recommended. Also, Some species are considered very invasive. There are thousands of land snail species, living all over the world. Be sure that your snail isn't placed on a surface where it may fall; this can injure or kill the creature. One citrus tree in California was covered with more than 3000 Theba pisana snails. How many Hawaiian land snail species are left? It might be hard to imagine getting that much interest out of a snail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Snails also require that a small portion of their diet contain a protein source; some pre-made products are available for sale online. Many people will consider it to be a pest. This means that every snail has both the male and female reproductive organs.