Housing
Suitable homes for GALS include fish tanks with a secure, ventilated lid; well ventilated vivariums or terrariums; and under bed storage units with added ventilation holes. The tank should provide plenty of room to move around and explore. Tanks should be positioned in a warm room, out of direct sunlight.
The tank should be lined with a deep layer of sterilised top soil (available from most garden centres) which will allow your snails to burrow and dig. It is important to provide a deep substrate, as this enables them to maintain a constant body temperature and prevent moisture loss by using the soil to insulate themselves. Plain top soil is preferable to compost, which may contain added fertilisers, or coir bark which can hold mould. Do not use top soil you have collected yourself, as this could be contaminated with pesticides, fertilisers, bacteria or pathogens.
Snails require a moist, humid environment which can be achieved by spraying the tank with warm water on a daily basis. Spray just enough to make the soil damp to the touch but not so much that you create a mud bath!
Snails must have constant access to fresh water for drinking and bathing. This should be provided in a shallow dish, as it is easy for snails to drown in deeper water. It is a good idea to put smooth pebbles in the bottom of their water bowl, so that they can climb in and out easily.
Snails like dark, damp places, so plastic plant pots and other accessories can be used to create areas where they can hide. Fish tank accessories such as smooth branches and plastic plants are a good way to enrich a tank. Be sure to choose toys that do not have any sharp pieces on which they could hurt themselves. It is important to wash any toys before putting them into the tank. Avoid hard objects, such as ceramic pots, as if your snail were to fall on to it, the impact could damage their shell.
An easy way to make their tank more interactive is to provide living plants which they eat. Dandelions or herbs such as parsley and basil can be planted into the tank. It is extremely important to only use edible, non-toxic plants. If you use plants bought from a shop or garden centre, only use those that have been organically grown, as plants treated with pesticides or fertilisers may be extremely dangerous to snails. Suitable plants are campanulas, pansies, violas and spider plants.
Remember that snails are extremely good climbers, so it is important to keep the lid of their tank shut!
The tank should be lined with a deep layer of sterilised top soil (available from most garden centres) which will allow your snails to burrow and dig. It is important to provide a deep substrate, as this enables them to maintain a constant body temperature and prevent moisture loss by using the soil to insulate themselves. Plain top soil is preferable to compost, which may contain added fertilisers, or coir bark which can hold mould. Do not use top soil you have collected yourself, as this could be contaminated with pesticides, fertilisers, bacteria or pathogens.
Snails require a moist, humid environment which can be achieved by spraying the tank with warm water on a daily basis. Spray just enough to make the soil damp to the touch but not so much that you create a mud bath!
Snails must have constant access to fresh water for drinking and bathing. This should be provided in a shallow dish, as it is easy for snails to drown in deeper water. It is a good idea to put smooth pebbles in the bottom of their water bowl, so that they can climb in and out easily.
Snails like dark, damp places, so plastic plant pots and other accessories can be used to create areas where they can hide. Fish tank accessories such as smooth branches and plastic plants are a good way to enrich a tank. Be sure to choose toys that do not have any sharp pieces on which they could hurt themselves. It is important to wash any toys before putting them into the tank. Avoid hard objects, such as ceramic pots, as if your snail were to fall on to it, the impact could damage their shell.
An easy way to make their tank more interactive is to provide living plants which they eat. Dandelions or herbs such as parsley and basil can be planted into the tank. It is extremely important to only use edible, non-toxic plants. If you use plants bought from a shop or garden centre, only use those that have been organically grown, as plants treated with pesticides or fertilisers may be extremely dangerous to snails. Suitable plants are campanulas, pansies, violas and spider plants.
Remember that snails are extremely good climbers, so it is important to keep the lid of their tank shut!
Outdoors
Larger snails may enjoy being able to spend time in the garden in nice weather. Keep them on either grass or soil and do not put them on tarmac or cement, as this is abrasive and in warm weather can quickly become too hot for them. Never put them in a garden/area that has been treated with pesticides or slug pellets. Once outdoors be sure to keep a close eye on them and do not leave them unattended. Snails are extremely vulnerable to predators and it is easy for them to get accidentally injured. On warm days keep them in the shade and regularly spray them with water to prevent them from becoming dehydrated.
Larger snails may enjoy being able to spend time in the garden in nice weather. Keep them on either grass or soil and do not put them on tarmac or cement, as this is abrasive and in warm weather can quickly become too hot for them. Never put them in a garden/area that has been treated with pesticides or slug pellets. Once outdoors be sure to keep a close eye on them and do not leave them unattended. Snails are extremely vulnerable to predators and it is easy for them to get accidentally injured. On warm days keep them in the shade and regularly spray them with water to prevent them from becoming dehydrated.
