Author Topic: First egg clutch! *pics now*  (Read 12397 times)

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Jessie226

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Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #20 on: June 14, 2006, 07:15:41 AM »
Why would PETA have a problem with selling snails?
So I think my two magentas from you, Dorn, are male and female! ;D I caught them crawling all over each other, and the one on top had a little tube sticking out of him. It kind of freaked me out! lol! If they did mate, how long before I should see eggs? They seem fairly easy to raise, do they just eat veggies like the adults?

dorn27

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #21 on: June 14, 2006, 08:33:50 AM »
PETA thinks that we are torturing snails by shipping them priority mail.  They thinks it's cruel and harmful.

I have personally NEVER EVER had a snail die via my shipping methods.  The only case was an issue when I shipped to Alaska (I packed heat don't worry) which was left on a doorstep cause of a landlord, had it been brought inside, we're 99% sure it would been 100% alive.  I reshipped and the second box had no problems.
I even had a box lost for A MONTH that came back alive.  Return to sender USPS error.

The little tube could have been his air syphen, but if it was stuck into the other one... then definitely a male.  Now that doesn't mean they aren't both males... they'll occasionally climb up the wrong tree if they can't find a female.

Takes a week or few to get eggs.  Try lowering the water level so there is at least an inch of head room.  The female will climb out and lay eggs above the water.  Very easy to spot the eggs.  I always pull my eggs into a hatchery (you can make one for about $4) but you can also leave them if your tank is well sealed for humidity.

You must be taking good care of them if they are already getting busy.  LOL!  Babies like algae and REALLY REALLY REALLY cooked foods.  Adults like cooked smushy, but babies want it cooked practically to goo.

Jessie226

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #22 on: June 14, 2006, 08:36:36 AM »
Thanks! What does a snail hatchery consist of?

dorn27

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #23 on: June 14, 2006, 08:44:56 AM »
A few components

A grate, a ziploc storage container (or rubbermaid shoe box if you're big scale) and a way to 'float' your grate. You also need heat, but if you've got a light strip... you've got heat.

I use a 'seed sprouting lid' that fits on a mason jar. I had it laying around from when I got into alfalfa sprouts.  (Came in a 3 pack and i use the one with the biggest holes for my snails now.)   

Most people use plastic craft canvas.  Use the kind with bigger holes.  You can usually get a 'round piece' for about 50 cents.  You can also get a round flat ring of stryofoam the same size as the ring for less than $1.  You just glue the ring of plastic canvas to the foam with hot glue, and then float the ring inside of a storage container.  The grate keep water from pooling around the eggs. 

I use my 'sprouting' lid right in the container because its designed to screw onto jars it has a rather tall lip.  I put about an inch of water in it, but with a floaty hatchery you can make it as deep as you want, so long as there is enough head room.

In a pinch you can use a piece of foam (cou--pink--gh) and float the eggs directly on that. The major problem when using foam directly is that water collects on the foam and forms puddles.  You don't want puddles cause this drowns the embryos. :)

Jessie226

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #24 on: June 14, 2006, 10:08:56 AM »
Hm, I'm having a tough time visualizing this. I've never seen a snail hatchery, or really know how they work so I am having a hard time picturing it or how it works.... Do you have a pic? Sorry...

dorn27

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #25 on: June 14, 2006, 01:56:23 PM »
Here is a photo of my hatchery (my old grate with holes smaller than plastic canvas) I used one with much bigger holes now cause some bigger babies were getting stuck.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f298/dorn27/snailclutchhatchery.jpg

Heres a link that inspired mine. Though I would never personally float eggs over a breeder net... to risky if you ask me.
http://www.petfish.net/articles/Invertebrates/Apple_Snail_Eggs.php

Here is another verison. http://www.freewebs.com/arobed/snails.jpg

Its just important the eggs stay above water, but still in an small inclosed container to maintain humidity.

I

Jessie226

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #26 on: June 15, 2006, 05:47:09 AM »
Thanks for the pics and links, dorn! It looks simple enough...
So the eggs don't hatch if they're submersed?

Chelle

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #27 on: June 15, 2006, 08:07:42 AM »
Here is a pic of my hatchery.  nothing to it.
Small gladware contanier
craft canvas that I bought for 15 cents and cut a circle out of
adn the lid.


Jessie226

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #28 on: June 15, 2006, 08:13:55 AM »
how does the craft canvas stay above the water? Or is yours floating?

Chelle

  • Guest
Re: First egg clutch! *pics now*
« Reply #29 on: June 15, 2006, 01:09:01 PM »
its in there at an angle, I couldnt get it cut to a perfect circle to get it to set in the middle, so I just have 1/4 of it in the water.