Lissachatina fulica – Dark, 10–13 cm

🐌 About the Species

Lissachatina fulica is the most commonly kept species of giant African land snail – and unfortunately also the species we receive most often. It is very tame and forgives the occasional husbandry mistake. Originally from the rainforests of Africa, it therefore requires higher humidity and warmth.

Important: It can lay 150–500 eggs every week. This must be handled responsibly – egg clutches must be searched for and removed regularly. There are various color forms (e.g., wild-type, White Jade, full albino, Dark, Rodatzi); they all belong to the same species and can be kept together.

🐌 Where Does This Snail Come From?

This snail comes from our rescue center. It was surrendered to us – for example, because its owners moved, became ill, or could no longer care for it – and is now looking for a second home. We usually do not know the parents or the exact age; minor cosmetic flaws on the shell are possible (see photo).

🐌 Husbandry

• Experience: Advanced – some experience in snail husbandry is advisable
• Humidity: approx. 80% – the glass should be slightly fogged
• Temperature: 25–26°C during the day, approx. 22°C at night
• Terrarium for a small group of adult animals: min. 100 × 40 × 50 cm, adjust the size as they grow
• Lime the soil with 95% calcium carbonate, always provide a cuttlebone
• Offspring: 150–500 eggs per week – search for egg clutches weekly
• Life expectancy: up to 10–12 years
• Adult shell length: usually approx. 12 cm, some individuals significantly larger
• Group size: min. 3 animals, do not keep different species together

🐌 Our Husbandry Recommendation

We surrender each snail individually. Nevertheless, snails should never be kept alone. They need companions of the same species to feel comfortable. Please do not keep different species together.

Introduce new animals carefully to the group and make sure they are of a similar size.

Healthy snails will mate. Therefore, plan in advance how you will handle egg clutches so that no unwanted offspring are produced. This applies especially to non-native, invasive species such as giant African land snails: Neither animals nor eggs may ever be released into the wild.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

🐌 Why a Protection Fee?

Like every dog, cat, and reptile from the animal shelter, we also only rehome our snails for a protection fee. It is not a purchase price – our animals are not merchandise.

• It protects the animals: Anyone who pays a protection fee has usually given careful thought to taking in an animal. This helps prevent impulsive acquisitions and prevents animals from being passed on carelessly, fed to other animals, or bred uncontrollably.
• It covers part of the costs that every animal incurs with us: food, lime, substrate, warmth, terrariums, and the time for care, advice, and rehoming.
• It makes our work possible: Every euro goes to the association – to the rescue center and to the care of surrendered and confiscated animals.

The amount depends on the species, size, and care requirements and is always per animal.

🐌 Shipping & Cost Contribution

Our snails travel with a special private overnight animal transport service. As soon as your snail is on its way, we will send you an email – it will arrive the following day. Unfortunately, live tracking is not possible with this type of transport.

To keep the cost contribution for transport as low as possible, we have the animals collected in batches. Please therefore be patient if it sometimes takes a little while. For the sake of the animals, we do not ship before weekends and holidays and prefer to wait a few days during extreme heat or cold.

At low temperatures, the animals travel in a Styrofoam box with a heat pack – this is included in the cost contribution.

When your snail arrives, please let it acclimate at room temperature for half to three-quarters of an hour first. Give it the time it needs.

The cost contribution covers exclusively the courier and animal-friendly packaging – we do not make any profit from it.

Tip for Association Members+: As an Association Member+, the snail call is free for you – personal video advice on species selection, setup, and husbandry. An offer in cooperation with slimeside.de.

In cooperation with Slimeside: On slimeside.de you will find everything we consider good and correct for keeping snails – from soil and lime to the right terrarium. Our snails already live with these products and are used to them – this makes the move to your home easier for them.

The photos show the species. Every animal is an individual and may differ in color, markings, and minor cosmetic flaws.