African Land Snails...

Valli

I'm appalled.

Appalled that parents weren't consulted prior to the handover and that you have had no advice on care.

begley

I would get some topsoil. That will soak up the water and help to keep them damp.

Froglet

If the teacher has no idea how to care for them what on earth is she doing having them in the first place? surely the idea is to teach children to be responsible and care for helpless creatures of all kinds. Some hope of that.Pathetic.

Well done for trying to make their little lives better.I would certainly hand them back with a care sheet,or to a more responsible person at the school.

NoGoodNamesLeft

They do need some kind of peat or soil really. Also if you change their soil, you are supposed to freeze it before throwing it away to kill any eggs. They are an invasive species and could wipe out a lot of our own snails if they get into the wild - they are actually illegal in some countries because of this.

I'm surprised the teacher hasn't done any research on them. They are great pets and relatively easy to look after, but you'd think she'd at least have a book or something!

Gold_Dust_2

pigpen wrote: »

26 of the ooze brothers!

Eep...that's a lotta snail poop!

Valli wrote: »

Were parents not asked prior to the handover whether they would like to care for the snails?

I think they did the same thing to my mum 20 odd years ago - she ended up having to care for a gerbil, despite no prior experience or notification.

kara7758

pigpen wrote: »

that is the same as every other one but no mention of this water they generate..


we take out old food when new is added but the water is increasing.


thank all xx

Ok. You need to clean the tank they are in with hot water (no detergents as it will harm if not kill them) and I use a green scourer to rid any slime or faeces. I suggest you place them all in the lid of the tank whilst you do this.


You need to get some coir to place in the tank. I get mine from the reptile section at pets at home, but any reptile retailer will sell it. It comes in a block that you soak in lots of water so it is wet but not sloppy. Instructions should be on the pack. I get two for £5.00 and use one to half fill a tank. This will soak up the liquid they are producing and give them something to burrow in if they want to.


You need to feed them daily with fresh cucumber and or lettuce, not iceberg but a leafy lettuce. Remove any they have not eaten and throw it away. They like other veg but that will suffice for the short time you have them. You also need to spray the tank daily with warm plain water to keep the humidity level up. They also need a cuttlefish bone to help their shells keep strong and grow.
That should hopefully keep them comfortable.


They must be very uncomfortable at present judging by the state of the tank in the pic you posted and this is probably why they are producing so much moisture.


Hope this helps.


Sorry forgot to add that they benefit from a heated mat placed underneath the tank as they are tropical and need some heat. The teacher needs to be advised of that also. They should be alright in a warm room whilst they are with you.

pigpen

thank you Kara.. I have been getting DD to wipe up excess poop but with 26 in there it is very overcrowded.. I'm not sure how old they are but their shells are about 1-1.25inches to the point.


they have something sandy.. about 1cm in the bottom and that is all.. they are a mess.. Poor little things.. my older daughter is begging to keep one.. it is a no chance!


Will they be ok put in a bucket with a mesh lid while we clean them out?

begley

They'll be fine in a bucket, as long as the bucket hasn't had any detergents or cleaners in. I agree with others that the teacher should have given you some basic instructions - if she doesn't know how to care for them then surely she must have access to Google....or even the pets section on MSE!! Well done to you for trying to make their little slimy lives a bit better Pigpen.

kara7758

pigpen wrote: »

thank you Kara.. I have been getting DD to wipe up excess poop but with 26 in there it is very overcrowded.. I'm not sure how old they are but their shells are about 1-1.25inches to the point.


they have something sandy.. about 1cm in the bottom and that is all.. they are a mess.. Poor little things.. my older daughter is begging to keep one.. it is a no chance!


Will they be ok put in a bucket with a mesh lid while we clean them out?

That will be fine. Such a shame you have been left in this predicament. They are quite enduring creatures and very simple to look after once they have the basics. If you change your mind about your daughter having one I would really advise just the one as they can be prolific breeders and lay many eggs at a time. Well done you for showing care to a creature that many people recoil from!!

Froglet

Every creature that we take out of it's natural environment should be treated with care and given as near to it's natural life as possible.

Otherwise.LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS :mad: .

I know they are "only" snails but they look to have had a pretty rotten time so far.Hopefully you will be asking some pretty direct questions to the head when they have to go back.Otherwsie what message is it giving the children? That any pet can be neglected and treated with ignorance?