I want your pest snails to feed my snakes! :)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've thought about farming both terrestrial snails and terrestrial slugs, but they're actually a bit more difficult to do than I thought they were.

The common brown garden snails and slugs appear to be mellow and unassuming creatures, but they're actually aggressive and cannibalistic. It's just difficult to fathom because they move so slow. This is one of the biggest problems with heliculture.

The other problem is, depending on the species of snails or slugs, they have varying degrees of hardiness. I've found Grove Snails to be very difficult to keep in captivity for any reasonable length of time for some reason. While the Common Brown Snails are extremely hardy, and will even go dormant when conditions are not ideal.

Triggering them to breed is another challenge. I haven't figure out how to do that.

Snails and slugs are also not very tolerant of dirty enclosures. They die very easily because of this. In order to keep snails alive, you've gotta keep due diligence just like with any exotic pet.

I'm only distantly aware of the fact that there may be escargot farms (snail farms) in Europe. In America, because so many people get grossed out by the thought of eating a snail as a delicacy, I'm not aware of any here, or if there are any, they're quite rare.

If there should be any snail farms out there in the US, I'm not even sure they'd be willing to open a small account for someone in need of snails on a small scale. Now, if I said I owned a French themed restaurant and would like to carry escargot on the menu, it may be a different story...

[Leafmite]

Those are really cute snakes. I'm sure finding food for them will work out. You could attract slugs by growing lettuce. Pick a shady, cool, spot and keep the dirt moist (can grow in a pot). The slugs will appear like magic. A pond supply store will often sell snails (cheaply, unlimited quantities). They are shipped live. Just ask about the average size. Specialty aquatic stores may sell snails, too, but they will probably be more expensive so I'd use them for breeding. Do a little research to find easy, fast-growing/reproducing ones of the right size that eat algae. Mine stay small but live in a large glass bowl with some aquatic plants. They were multiplying well until I moved the betta in with them. They prefer the algae as food so need no care but bright light is necessary. Food for algae eaters might also work. Good luck! Keep us posted on those beauties of yours!

[Paul]

Cute/silly faces on those guys.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I still simply don't understand how these snakes could afford to be such obligate feeders of what on the surface seems to be unsustainable prey items over the duration of their entire lifespans, (which is approximately 20 yrs)!

Philip, snails & slugs are actually quite nutritious. Very high in protien if memory serves. Certainly far more nutritious than worms.

Will the snakes eat dead snails? If so, you might be able to find raw packaged snails more easily.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I am willing to try the aquatic snails out.

Aquatics should be very easy to raise and some get very large.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I've thought about farming both terrestrial snails and terrestrial slugs, but they're actually a bit more difficult to do than I thought they were.

The common brown garden snails and slugs appear to be mellow and unassuming creatures, but they're actually aggressive and cannibalistic. It's just difficult to fathom because they move so slow. This is one of the biggest problems with heliculture.

The other problem is, depending on the species of snails or slugs, they have varying degrees of hardiness. I've found Grove Snails to be very difficult to keep in captivity for any reasonable length of time for some reason. While the Common Brown Snails are extremely hardy, and will even go dormant when conditions are not ideal.

Hmm, that is surprising. I have never come across that issue unless decollate snails are in the mix.

What size container are you using?

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Triggering them to breed is another challenge. I haven't figure out how to do that.

Quite possible that they may require a dormancy or significant change in conditions (temps, humidity, etc.) in order to trigger breeding. I do know with many snakes, for example, a cooling period is required for breeding to occur.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Snails and slugs are also not very tolerant of dirty enclosures. They die very easily because of this. In order to keep snails alive, you've gotta keep due diligence just like with any exotic pet.

Have you tried having living plants in the enclosure? They would serve as an additional food source as well as further breaking down wastes.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If there should be any snail farms out there in the US, ....

There are though most (? all?) in the US are for aquatic snails. (The following is all from a relatively quick Google search.)

snail farming sites that might prove useful:

Slugs (and Snails) as Pets

Raising Snails, SRB 96-05

Snail farming, snail management, snail rearing e-book, horse feed, rabbit feed, cattle feed

Snails for sale:

Try the two listed here:
United States Snail Farming, United States Snail Farming Manufacturers, United States Snail Farming Suppliers and Companies on Alibaba.com

snails for sale - iZito

Aquarium snails are very easy to find (in many respects easier than terrrestrial). If it turns out that your snakes will eat aquatic snails:

feeder snails - BuyCheapr.com

*Check with baits shops too.