What is the best way to bathe Achatina?

For a long time, one of the most popular exotic pets, which, by the way, will surprise no one, are snails. The greatest demand is for the large African snails Achatina fulica, which in our country will not survive in nature.

The Achatina snail is a tropical gastropod land mollusk that, when kept at home, needs proper care and maintenance, including bathing.

For a snail, as for any other living creature, water is of great importance - it is vital for a comfortable life. There are several ways in which the gastropod can obtain the required amount of water: from food, soil, and by taking water procedures.

As for food products for an animal, you need to be extremely careful in their choice. After all, some of them, for example, a cucumber, so beloved by snails, fills them with the right amount of water, while others, on the contrary, can provoke dehydration of the body.

It is imperative to bathe Achatina snails, because as an inhabitant of the tropics, she adores warmth and high humidity. We will talk about all the details further.

There are certain rules for bathing a snail, which must be adhered to in order not to harm the mollusk.

When bathing Achatina, you must observe the following requirements.

• Pay attention to the temperature of the water first. It should be boiled and warm, but by no means hot - this can harm the shell of the animal.
• The liquid must be filtered.This need is due to the fact that tap water contains a large amount of chlorine and various metals that can adversely affect the well-being of the mollusk and the condition of its shell, which can begin to exfoliate and even become covered with blisters and cracks.
• In order to understand whether Achatina is comfortable in the water, you need to observe her behavior. If the animal is hiding in a shell, then something went wrong.
• The pet should not be allowed to dive, because it can easily choke.
• Do not keep the snail under a strong stream of water, it is unpleasant for her.
• Experts do not recommend bathing the gastropod under the tap.

Small snails are completely defenseless; they need to be bathed especially carefully and carefully. Remember, the animal's respiratory organ is not located on the head, but under the shell, on the side.

For the snail, bathing once a week is sufficient. Of course, if she is very dirty or she likes to swim, you can do it more often, the main thing is to follow the recommendations given above.

Achatina often has shell problems such as flaking and plaque. To prevent such troubles, you need to bathe your pet.

In addition to the rules of bathing, which must be followed, the reservoir is of great importance, the choice and purchase of which is very responsibly. The size and volume of such a bath depends on the preferences of the Achatina herself. If the water procedures do not give her pleasure and they end quickly enough, you can buy a shallow container. If the snail is a water lover, purchase a wide "pool" in which the mollusk can unfold freely, however, make sure that it is shallow.

Immediately after purchase, and before carrying out water procedures, it is imperative to wash and disinfect the container well in order to kill all microbes that may live on the walls.

After bathing, it is advisable to take care of the animal's sink. With a soft cloth or sponge, gently wipe dry the "house" of the gastropod so that no drops remain.

So that the shell does not peel off, special olive or pumpkin oil can be purchased at your pet store or veterinary pharmacy. They contain the necessary amount of vitamins, minerals and fats, which have a positive effect when used.

Using a cotton pad or swab, a small amount of the selected oil is applied to the surface of the sink.

You can learn how to bathe Achatina snails by watching the video below.