Calcium for snails: what can you give and how to prepare?

Achatina snails are fairly common aquarium pets. In order for them to grow healthy and fully develop, their owner will have to organize proper feeding, as well as supplement the diet with all kinds of nutrients. One of these supplements is calcium, which is vital for Achatina people.

Snails in their natural habitat tend to take care of themselves by obtaining calcium from natural sources. They need this element for the proper development of the shell, which consists of calcium and conchiolin. As the animal grows, its glands secrete substances to build the shell, and it becomes stronger and harder. The shellfish, receiving calcium, starts the process of its processing and builds up the shell. Moreover, the snail consumes this element not only from food, but also thanks to its sole.

If there is not enough calcium in the body of the mollusk, the following happens:

• the shell becomes dull and brittle;
• the snail stops growing;
• the mollusk can begin to gnaw the shells of its fellows;
• if the shell is damaged, the process of its restoration will be very long;
• it is difficult or almost impossible for a snail to lay eggs.

To keep snails free of shell-related problems, they need to be given calcium carbonate on a regular basis. Let's see what we can offer to pets.

• Seashells. Such shell rock can be purchased already crushed, and there should be no foreign impurities in the composition. The percentage of calcium here is about 40. Many owners do not speak very well of shells, since they are primarily intended for feeding livestock, which means they are not too small.Additionally, you will have to crush and grind them at home, for this you should use a high-power coffee grinder.

• Dolomite flour. It is a product that is also widely used in horticulture. It is obtained by grinding dolomite, a natural material from the carbonate class. Dolomite flour has a great effect on the health of Achatina: it saturates their body with potassium and magnesium, strengthens the shell, and prevents the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. A very cheap product that you can buy at any pet store.

• Feed chalk. This is an excellent source of calcium and can be served in a mixture with other foods, as there are many lumps in the chalk that can stick to the body of the snail. Such a tool does not deteriorate, so you can buy it for future use. In most cases, chalk is found in the form of a powder, but sometimes large chunks can be seen, which will also be useful for snails.

• Cuttlefish shell. In another way, such a source is called sepia. Most often it is sold for parrots, but you can also use it for snails, since the calcium content is quite high - about 35%. The shell is placed in the aquarium in one piece, so that the snails can entertain themselves by chewing on it.

• Eggshell. The simplest and most affordable source of calcium, which is definitely found in every home. Only the shells of raw eggs, thoroughly washed before use, are suitable. Boiled ones will lose a significant part of the nutrients. You can use shells from both chicken and quail eggs.

• Store drugs. If none of the listed sources are at hand or you don't want to grind food, you can always turn to store products. They contain the same materials, only in finished form, for example, in powders or tablets. Give them to pets, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Many novice owners of Achatina are interested in the question of how much calcium should be given to snails and whether there will be problems from its excess. There will be no problems, since the snail will eat exactly as much as it needs. Access to calcium sources should be around the clock, you do not need to worry that the pet will move, poison or die.

There is never a lot of calcium, so you can additionally offer the following foods containing it in small amounts to snails:

• bird feeding, as well as bone meal - snails are very fond of these products, but they need to be given once a week, before that, making sure that the expiration date is true;
• sesame and sunflower seeds, rice grains, nuts - they do not give too often, they grind well before feeding (peanuts are not allowed);
• lettuce leaves and cabbage - the leaves are washed well, and the cabbage must first be scalded with boiling water.

In addition, the owner of Achatina needs to monitor not only a sufficient amount of calcium, but also its correct absorption. To do this, you need to submit from time to time:

• nettle, dandelion or alfalfa greens;
• lean sea fish;
• milk.

It is not at all difficult to make a calc mixture at home. Let's take a look at a few popular recipes in the correct proportions.

To do this, you need the following ingredients:

• 1 part feed chalk;
• 1 part rolled oats;
• the same number of eggshells.

All components are put into a blender or coffee grinder and carefully ground to a homogeneous powder mass. The resulting composition will last for a long time, since it has no expiration date.

This product is an excellent budget source of calcium for Achatina. But it needs to be properly prepared:

• eggs wash well, they should not have traces of feathers, droppings, and other dirt;
• the shell is removed, the film is removed from the inside;
• the product is placed on a towel and dried in a place without direct sunlight for a couple of days;
• after this time, the shells must be ground and poured into an airtight container.

This is a very popular recipe, many reviews say that the snail eats such a mixture very willingly, and its shell becomes strong.

Composition (all in equal parts):

• ready-made egg shells;
• dry oatmeal or rolled oats;
• crustaceans gammarus;
• raw rice grains;
• food chalk.

As in the previous recipes, the ingredients must be combined and ground.

One of the most beloved delicacies among Achatina snails. You need to give the finished product a little, a couple of times a week, and if the pets have not finished eating it, clean it up. We draw your attention to the fact that this product is more of a delicacy for snails, a full-fledged feeding for a week, so in no case should you be limited only to them.

Ingredients:

• half a liter of milk;
• 10 mg calcium chloride (in ampoules).

The solution is added to milk, and then the resulting mixture will need to be boiled. The boiled product is poured into a colander and the whey is allowed to drain. When this process is over, the curd is folded into containers and placed in the refrigerator.

Some snail breeders, who are just beginning to get acquainted with these pets, mistakenly believe that Achatina can be given calcium in the form of tablets, solutions, vitamins intended for humans. But it should be borne in mind that such decisions will do more harm than good. Consider a few products that should be offered with great care, or not purchased at all.

• Construction chalk. Such chalk differs from food chalk, it will definitely contain remnants of cement, which will not give anything good to the snail's body. The same applies to school chalk, which contains many unnecessary components, including dyes.
• Products intended for feeding other animals. We are talking about bird and turtle mixtures. Of course, there is calcium there, but in addition to it there are other components that are useful, for example, for birds, but doubtful in the case of snails. Be sure to carefully study the composition of such products.
• Calcium gluconate. This is a tablet preparation that is well suited for human use, but it can be dangerous for snails. In addition, it is also meaningless, since there is very little calcium in it, and clearly not enough to feed Achatina.

Achatina snails are quiet and calm pets that can deliver a lot of pleasant minutes with simple observation. All they need is minimal care on the part of the owner, as well as the correct diet with all the necessary supplements.

How to prepare a granular mixture for Achatina, see below.