Giant African Land Snails – Rodatzi

Description

The Rodatzi morph of Achatina fulica, the Giant African Land Snail, showcases a stunning banded yellow-golden shell variation and dark body within this remarkable species. Native to East Africa, the Giant African Land Snail is recognized as one of the largest land snails, reaching impressive lengths of up to 7 inches (18 cm) and weighing around 32 grams. This adaptable species has spread to various regions worldwide, earning a reputation as an invasive species. Among the diverse morphs of the Giant African Land Snail, the Rodatzi stands out with its unique colour combo. This particular variation boasts a striking golden yellow shell, adorned with contrasting pale bands or stripes. With a relatively long lifespan for invertebrates, the Giant African Land Snail can live an average of 5 to 10 years, and in some cases, even surpass 15 years in captivity. These snails reach maturity within a year and are often sold as young ‘snaillings’ when they are a couple of months old. Achatina fulica is a hermaphroditic species, meaning each snail possesses both male and female reproductive organs. However, they still require a mate for successful reproduction. After mating, the snails lay clusters of small, round eggs in moist soil or substrates. Known for their gentle nature, Giant African Land Snails are safe to handle. Creating a suitable environment for them involves providing a moist enclosure with ample substrate and a sheltered place such as a piece of cork bark for them to hide in. GALs are omnivorous but primarily consume vegetables and fruits. However, it’s crucial to supplement their diet with a source of protein, such as dried insects, and ensure they have access to calcium to maintain a strong and healthy shell. Overall, we highly recommend these unconventional and low-maintenance pets to both experienced invertebrate keepers and beginners. The Rodatzi morph of the Giant African Land Snail can live with any other morph of land snail, with identical care.