Garden snails, such as the common Cornu aspersum, are terrestrial mollusks often kept as pets or encountered in home gardens. A precise and balanced diet is paramount for the health and longevity of these invertebrates. Correct nutrition supports their metabolic processes and maintains the structural integrity of their shell. Understanding the specific foods, necessary supplements, and harmful substances ensures they remain active and healthy.
Primary Dietary Staples
The majority of a garden snail’s diet should consist of fresh, unprocessed, nutrient-dense plant matter. Vegetables are the preferred staple, providing essential vitamins and fiber without the high sugar content found in most fruits. Excellent choices include root vegetables like sweet potato, carrot, and turnip, as well as soft squashes like zucchini and pumpkin. Rotate through several different vegetables weekly to ensure a broad intake of nutrients.
While snails enjoy soft greens, common options like cucumber and iceberg lettuce offer very little nutritional value and can become addictive, causing the snail to ignore more beneficial foods. Dark leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, are acceptable in moderation, but they contain oxalates, compounds that can interfere with calcium absorption. All food offered must be organic or thoroughly washed to remove traces of pesticides, which are highly toxic to mollusks.
Mandatory Nutritional Supplements
Beyond plant matter, garden snails require specific supplements to maintain their unique biology, with calcium being the most important non-plant nutrient. The shell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate, and a constant, accessible supply of calcium is necessary for shell growth and repair. Without adequate calcium, the shell becomes thin, brittle, and rough, making the snail vulnerable to injury and disease.
The best source of calcium is a solid block of pure calcium carbonate, such as a piece of unflavored cuttlebone, found in the bird section of most pet stores. Cuttlebone should be left in the enclosure at all times, allowing the snail to self-regulate its intake. Protein is also necessary for growth and tissue repair, particularly for younger snails, and should be offered sparingly, about once every two weeks. Safe protein sources include dried insects like mealworms or bloodworms, rehydrated before feeding, or small amounts of raw, unseasoned meat scraps.
Hazardous and Forbidden Foods
Certain common household foods are toxic or severely detrimental to a snail’s health and must be avoided entirely. Salt is the most dangerous substance, causing rapid dehydration through osmosis that is fatal to the snail’s soft body. Avoid all salted foods and processed human foods, and ensure hands are washed after handling salty snacks before touching the snails.
Any food in the onion or garlic family contains sulfur compounds that are toxic to snails, potentially causing internal damage and anemia. Highly acidic foods, such as citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange, can irritate or burn the snail’s delicate body and should never be offered. Processed grains like bread, pasta, and rice are difficult for snails to digest and can expand in their stomach, leading to blockages and possible death.
Practical Feeding and Preparation Guidelines
Snails are most active in the evening, making the late afternoon or early evening the ideal time for daily feeding. Food preparation involves slicing hard vegetables, like carrots or sweet potatoes, into thin, manageable pieces or lightly parboiling them to soften the texture. All food should be placed on a clean, flat surface or a small dish, rather than directly on the substrate, to maintain hygiene within the enclosure.
Uneaten food must be removed promptly, typically within 24 hours, to prevent the growth of mold, fungus, or pests like mites. Hydration is maintained primarily through the humid environment, but a shallow dish of non-chlorinated water should be provided for drinking and bathing. Regular misting of the enclosure once or twice daily helps keep the air damp, which stimulates snail activity and ensures sufficient moisture.