I came home today and Zoom's had a baby! I knew they were hermaphrodites but what exactly does this mean? Is Zoom able to reproduce without a sexual partner? Oh, by the way, Zoom is a Giant African Land Snail in case you didn't know. Oh my god I'm a Grandma at 28!
That is one hell of a strange pet. I don't get it, it doesn't do anything. What can you do with that thing?
He's (or rather she's) quite entertaining. Seriously, he comes in pissed after a night out and tells outrageous stories about how he had seventeen pints and got into a fight outside Yates Wine Lodge. Although now he's a she she'll be coming hom telling me about how she's flashed her knockers to all kinds of strange fellas on the street. No, but seriously, I'd love to know how i came home tonight and found a baby snail in Zoom's tank. Did he go to the adoption agency while I was out? did aliens beam the little guy in there? Have snails perfected cloning? Is this the Boba Fett of molluscs? More importantly, am I going to be inundated with a trillion little snails before long? Help me sciforums, you're my only hope.
Wrong word. They are NOT parthenogenic (utilizing unfertilized ova, such as worker honeybees and others) - they are true hermaphrodites, like earthworms and are fully capabile of self-fertilization.
Does the vet do snail contraception because as cute as this little motherfucker is, I don't want anymore filling my house?
Yes, you may be covered with them before long. As I explained to James, they are self-fertile (need no mate) and reproduce so rapidly AND are such vociferous eaters that it is illegal to own them in many countries. Their importation is banned by law in those locations.
I've never heard of it being done BUT a vet with good anatomical knowledge of snails could probably remove either the male or female parts. No telling what it might cost you, though.
What type of snail is it? Does the baby ride on the mothers shell? I keep apple snails and trap door snails. My trapdoor snails mated and I got a tank for the mom and babies. The snail family doesn't like outsiders. I put one of my apple snails in their tank when I was re arranging things and they attacked her. Not all snails self mate.
Congrats Emmz!!! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
It's a giant African land snail. The baby was getting a piggy back from Zoom before. He jumped off though, courgette apparently has more appeal than a ride on big momma's huge shell.
Thanks Sweethcheeks. I'm so excited, I'm in awe of it's utter fucking cuteness. Any suggestions for ironic/sarcastic names greatly appreciated. I think I'm going to have to go to the library and find out more about snailZ.
EmmZ! Congratulations! The new baby is so cute! I luuv it...keep it off the hands thou as they are dry for snails...
Aww draq, if you lived anywhere near me I'd give baby Zoom to you. I wet my hands thoroughly before I held them don't fret. Oh my word they are voracious eaters! Baby Zoom's only been alive a day and he's ate his way through a cherry tomato sized piece of courgette! This one's gonna big a biggun just like his Momma.
I've kept them and know others who have also. Some of the names I came across that I can recall off the top of my head: Speedy, Andretti, Space Shuttle, Meteor, Comet, Flash, Lightening, and Sputnik.
I wish my sea snails were hemphrodites. i keep having to buy new ones every time the hermit crabs need a new shellPlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
