Today in the homes of many of our compatriots you can see unusual pets. Someone contains monkeys, some - rare birds, and someone lives with Achatina. it the biggest snail in the world. It belongs to the family of land gastropods. After reading today's article, you will learn about the main features of these creatures.
Habitat
Just note that the largest snails in the world come from Africa. Later they spread throughout Malaysia, Indochina, India, Madagascar and the Seychelles.
Several individuals that came to the United States gave birth to numerous offspring. After only a few years, so many Achatina bred in the country that they began to be considered a national disaster. Giant mollusks destroyed fields, ate tree bark and stucco of houses.
Residents of Japan appreciated the taste of these huge creatures and began to organize farms specializing in their cultivation. It was also believed that the largest snail in the world helps to get rid of tuberculosis. Therefore, it has become very popular in many states.
The appearance of mollusks
Achatina are the largest representatives of land snails. The length of their body can reach thirty centimeters, and the diameter of the shell is often about twenty-five centimeters.
These mollusks have a brain and a heart. They can breathe not only through the skin with a huge number of folds, but also through a single lung. The body of these creatures is hidden under a massive shell that protects them from drying out and mechanical damage. Those who do not know how much the largest snail in the world weighs will be interested in the fact that the mass of Achatina can reach one kilogram.
These mollusks move due to the reduction of a well-developed sole. To facilitate movement on dry surfaces, mucus is produced from two foot glands.
How to feed Achatina?
At home, the largest snail in the world can eat watermelons, grapes, plums, peaches, apples, pears and bananas. From vegetables, they are allowed to give carrots, peas, corn, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, Beijing and cauliflower. Also, giant Achatina is recommended to be fed with various herbs, including plantain, spinach, parsley, dill and lettuce.
In addition, such foods as baby food, chopped nuts, boiled eggs, oatmeal, sour cream, milk and bread must be present in their diet. It is strictly forbidden to treat mollusks with smoked, salted, spicy, pickled and fried dishes. To strengthen the shell, the menu of Achatina must be supplemented with mineral stones for parrots, eggshells, cottage cheese and chalk.
Breeding Features
Just note that in conditions of optimal humidity, the largest snail in the world is able to reproduce offspring throughout the year. Individuals that have reached the age of seven months are considered sexually mature. Two weeks after the contact took place, both mollusks burrow into the ground to make masonry in it. One snail can bring up to fifty eggs, of which two months later babies appear.
Subject to all conditions, the snails grow quickly enough. During the first few days, newborns are in the ground. At this time, the kids eat the rest of their shells. After young individuals begin to get to the surface, they can be fed with grated vegetables with the addition of crushed limestone. In captivity, these creatures can live up to ten years.