Giant African Land Snails

[sophieb]

Can anybody please tell me if these can be legally kept as pets in the U.K? I believe it is illegal to keep them as pets in the U.S. Thanks

[lankeela]

They are certainly legal in the UK, but are not in some states of the US. I have four. If they lay eggs, you can dispose of them by freezing them.

They are edible, and are often on sale in markets in the London area.

There is a good site called snails online which has a lot of info (including recipes!).

They make fascinating pets, if looked after properly. They need to be kept warm in the cold weather but not allowed to dry out as they dehydrate and go into a sort of 'shut down'.

They eat mainly lettuce (round) and cucumber, but also other things such as sweetcorn. They also need cuttlefish to provide calcium to keep their shells hard. They have a sort of rasping action and wear it away. You can feel this if you hold them on your hand.

[B00]

I was intrigued enough to go look at a site about these- gotta say, I can't imagine anything viler to have as a pet....lol, sorry!

[lankeela]

Aw but they're so cute, they've got faces like little wabbits, and they move so gracefully its like watching a ballet. They are very soothing and after a long day at the computer they are fascinating to watch. Their little eyes on the end of their stalks follow you as you move around, and if you put them on your hand they grip really tight with their foot and slither along.

Not convincing you, am I? I can tell.

[wolf63]

personally I like companion animals that I can cuddle and who keep me warm in bed at night.

[Sammy Snake]

Have to agree with Boo and wolf63... WHY would anyone want one as a pet????

[sophieb]

Thanks everyone. My child was offered one as a "pet" by one of her friends! I said I would find out some more about them and thanks to your answers the answer is a definate NO!