1. The giant African land snail, is the largest species of snail found on land and generally grows to around 20cm in length.2. The giant African land snail is seen to be a highly invasive species and large colonies of land snails can be formed from just one individual.3. Giant African land snail lays around six clutches of eggs every year, laying an average of 200 eggs per clutch.4. Snails are sensitive to vibration, frequent touching and dirty environment.5. Snails can be raised indoor or outdoor.6. Achatina fulica require about 18.28 per cent of crude protein in its diet during the growth7. Snails hibernate during the dry season.8. 99 per cent of snail activities occur in the night.9. The protein content of snail is between 16 ' 18per cent (FAO).10. FAO recommends 65grammes of snails to be taken daily.11 Snail meat contains very little cholesterol or fat.12. In Europe, snail meat is called escargot.13. Snail meat has both local and export potentials.14. Snails are quiet animals and easy to raise.15. The snail shell is one third of the total weight of snail.16. The shell sometimes indicates the age and maturity of the snail.17. Shell growth is influenced by food type and calcium availability.18. Low calcium intake reduces snail growth and causes the shell to be thinner.19. Giant snail eats a wide range of plant material, fruit and vegetables. It will sometimes eat sand, very small stones, bones from carcasses and even concrete as calcium sources for its shell.20. Life span of snail is two - five years.21. The speed movement of snail is between 10cm ' 15cm per minute.22. Snails are hermaphrodite i.e have both male and female reproductive organs.23. Snails mate with snail of the same species in other to lay fertilised eggs.24. Sexual maturity in snails takes between eight to 16 months depending on weather and availability of calcium.25. Hatchability of eggs also depends on soil temperature, soil humidity and soil composition.26. The first food of the newly hatched snail is their own egg shell.27. Newly hatched snails are sensitive to extreme heat.28. A newly hatched snail is about 4mm long.29. Young snails enjoy soft vegetables like lettuce.30.Giant African land snails eat about 500 different types of plants.31. Snails eat vegetables and fruits.32. Snails drink fresh water.33. Snails also enjoy fresh beer. So give them once a while.34. Snails grow faster when you supplement their food with formulated feeds.35. Snails also eat some food crops, grains and tubers.36. Snails eat boiled meat and snail meat.37. Don't give snails salt or salty foods.38. Snails greatest enemy is the Sun.39. Other enemies of snails are snakes, soldier ants, lizards, rats, house flies and termites.40. There is no organised market for snails in Nigeria. Snails are usually sold per dozen.41. A dozen of medium size snails costs between N900 to N2,000 depending on the season while the big ones(jumbo size) is between N1,500 to N3,500.42. Snails are usually cheaper during the raining season.43. A snail farmer makes more money if he/she decides to sell duringthe dry season.44. The export unit price for snail is between $4 to $6 and 2 ' 4 British pounds.45. Helix species of snails are grown in most European countries.46. The two common species grown are Helix aspersa and Helix pomatia.47. The Giant African land snail(GALS) at maturity is about six times bigger than the Helix species.48. The world annual demand for snails is above 400,000tonnes.49. France is the world largest consumer of snails.50. Snail sellers in Nigeria on the average make between N150,000 and N250,000 monthly depending on the season.
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