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Reproduction and Management Practices in Snail Business

Snail business is one of the lucrative aspects of animal production on agriculture. In snail business, the snail is said to be a monotreme because it possesses both the male and female genital parts together in the one opening.

Although the snail is a hermaphrodite fertile eggs are only produced by cross fertilization when two snails mate. After mating, both may be capable of laying fertile eggs.

During the mating season which begins in spring the edible snails seek each other, smell and nib bleach other and then join themselves for a very long coition of several hours, side by side over the horizontal plane.

Using Giant African land snail which is popularly called the giant snail as an example, They prick each other with a calcium dart and after numerous pricks with this dart the pouch containing the vagina and the penis turns in on itself.

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There is a reciprocal introduction of the male organ into the female conduit and the sperm received is then stored. At this time the genital gland issues no eggs.Once mating is completed and the two snails separate the male part is absorbed and the female part develops.

The spermatozoa leave the copulative pouch and move toward the top of the genital tract in order to impregnate the eggs that are discharged by the hermaphroditic gland.

If the snails are placed in conditions for reproduction that have optimum temperature, lighting and humidity the average time between mating and egg laying is 5-10 days.

In snail business, the snail is able and does mate and lay more eggs during the season as long as favorable conditions and nourishment are provided. Helix Aspersa while under scientific observation were found to mate again after a period of about 15 days.

In order to lay its eggs the snail will dig a hole and burrow to a depth of between 4-9cm deep.It then deposits its eggs and leaves.

The ideal soil conditions need to be friable and moist but not saturated and the provision of small plastic garden pots filled with a top quality potting mix prove most suitable for this purpose.

Read Also: Seasonal and Daily Management Practices for Snail

The eggs of the garden snail or African land snail are spherical and translucent, white in color and have a diameter of between 3-4mm. The giant African snail for example lays its eggs in batches the number can range from 40-130 the average, being approximately 70-90.

Hatchability of eggs depends on soil temperature, soil humidity and soil composition. If these conditions are available the baby snails which are very small but fully formed baby snail will emerge within 18-21 days.

Sexual Maturity of Snail in Snail Business

Reproduction and Management Practices in Snail Business

Snails will start to lay eggs when they are sexually matured at 8-12 months or when their weight is between 110-125g.  Snails would continue to lay eggs both in the rainy and dry seasons under domestication.

Factors that affect sexual maturity

  • A g e
  • Feeding
  • Temperature
  • Relative humidity.
  • Disease condition
  • Specie of the snail.
  • Eggs of snails
  • Clutch Size  4-18
  • Incubation period   28-32 days

Management Practices of Snail in Snail Business

Reproduction and Management Practices in Snail Business

 1. Care for hatchlings or baby snails:

 2. Care For The Growers

3. Care For The Breeders / Adults

Daily routine practices of snail:

•        Check the housing units and remove any dead snail.
•        Remove the left over feeds every day.
•        Clean and replenish water trough with cool, clean, fresh water daily.
•        Clean the pens and the surroundings.
•        Make sure that the soil is well covered with dry leaves(mulching).
•        In the dry season, wet the soil adequately. In the rainy season, if the rain is adequate, it may not be necessary. The soil must be moist.
•        Check whether the wire netting or mosquito netting is intact.
•        Check the water in the gutter/ water bath or in the container in case of cage
•        system, if it is adequate for prevention of  soldier ants attack.
•        Feed the snails after sunset (5-6pm) to preserve the freshness of the feed .
•        Keep the door to the housing unit shut always

Read Also: 10 Amazing Health Benefits of Cucumber Fruit

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