Giant African Land Snail (Lissachatina fulica) (White Jade)
Lissachatina fulica
The most beloved variant. The shell retains the beautiful wild black and brown stripes, but the snail's fleshy body is a pure ghostly white.
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
20 - 25 °C
Night temperature
20 - 25 °C
Species description
Geographic Origin and Habitat: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about geographic origin and habitat for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Taxonomy and Genetics: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about taxonomy and genetics for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Behaviour and Habits: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about behaviour and habits for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: No additional source-verified editorial notes are available about morphology and sexual dimorphism for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade". Consult this record's parameters and sources.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade" must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade" must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade" must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade" must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade" must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Lissachatina fulica "White Jade" must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Geographic origin and distribution
This species originates from: Africa Orientale (Coste umide, giardini e foreste tropicali in Kenya, Tanzania e Madagascar).
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- Herbivore
- They are strictly herbivorous and require a highly varied diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens to thrive. Essential staples include sweet potato, courgette, and romaine lettuce. A permanent, readily available source of calcium, such as a large cuttlebone, is absolutely critical for the continued growth of their massive shells.
- Adult size
- 20 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- They are completely terrestrial and have a strong preference for climbing and exploring vertical surfaces. Because they can grow to be exceptionally large and heavy, it is important to provide them with deep, moisture-retaining soil and ensure any climbing branches or structures are very sturdy and securely anchored.
- Activity cycle
- Nocturnal
- Being primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, they become most active when the lights go down and the humidity rises in their enclosure. Throughout the day, they will generally rest attached to the side of the tank or partially buried in the damp substrate to prevent their bodies from drying out.
- Sociality
- Gregarious
- They are peaceful, highly tolerant animals that do very well when housed in groups of their own kind. Keeping multiple individuals together often stimulates their appetite and general activity. However, keepers must be prepared for the significant amount of space and food required to support a group of giant snails.
- Reproduction
- Hermaphrodite
- They are simultaneous hermaphrodites capable of producing vast quantities of eggs. When mature individuals are kept together, mating is frequent, and clutches containing hundreds of eggs can be laid regularly in the substrate. To prevent a population explosion, the soil must be checked weekly, and unwanted eggs should be frozen.
- Venomous
- No
- Handling tolerance
- Tolerant
- Great care must be taken when handling these heavy snails. Never pull them directly off the glass, as this can severely damage their mantle or internal organs. Instead, offer them a wet piece of food to crawl onto, or gently slide a thoroughly moistened finger beneath their head to lift them.
- Brumation
- Not required
- Under optimal, stable indoor conditions, they will remain active year-round and will not enter brumation. If the enclosure becomes too cold or too dry, they will retreat deep into their shells, secrete a protective calcified seal over the opening, and aestivate until favorable environmental conditions return.
- Molting
- No
- Unlike insects, land snails do not shed their skin. They continuously add new material to the opening of their shell as their body grows. This new growth at the edge of the shell is extremely delicate and thin, making it highly susceptible to breaking if the snail is handled roughly or dropped.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
