🐌 A Snail's Pace: Navigating the Pet Shop Search for a GALS

🧐 The First Impression: Dry and Retracted

My search began with a casual look at my nearest local shop. While I could appreciate the general space allotted to the snails—they certainly didn't look cramped—I was immediately concerned by the conditions.

The enclosure seemed very dry. Given that Giant African Land Snails are native to humid environments and rely on moisture to thrive, this was a major red flag. Despite a visible water bowl, a key indicator of poor humidity was the state of the snails themselves: every one I could see was retracted into its shell. This is a survival mechanism, a state called aestivation, which they enter when conditions are too dry or cold. A snail actively aestivating in a pet shop is not a healthy, happy pet waiting for a new home.

📩 The Email Exchange: Vague Advice and a Questionable Kit

A few days later, I contacted my two closest shops about purchasing a starter kit. The response from one of them left me with serious doubts about their expertise.

For approximately £42, the kit included:

• A 39x25x26.5 plastic tank (the type with vents all over the top and lid).
• A spray bottle.
• A 150g Coco brick (substrate).
• A cuttlefish (calcium source).
• The snail itself.

The issues piled up quickly. The plastic tank, while providing a decent size, likely offered poor humidity retention due to the extensive top venting. More concerning was the image of the snail they sent: it too looked retracted, and appeared to show signs of obvious shell damage.

When I asked for more specific details on the snail's species and age, the reply was: "The snail itself is approximately 15 months, and the size is 2 and a half to 3 inches. It’s also just a standard specie."

🛑 The Deal Breaker: Lack of Knowledge and Small Size

The phrase "standard specie" for a Giant African Land Snail usually points to Lissachatina fulica (formerly Achatina fulica), as they are the most common in the pet trade, often due to accidental clutches.

However, the reported size for a 15-month-old snail was a major problem. My own research (and a quick check online) indicates that a L. fulica should typically be much larger than 2.5 to 3 inches at that age, often maturing or nearing adult size (which can be 6-8 inches or more in shell length) by 9-18 months, especially with good care. While growth rates vary wildly, this small size, combined with the shell damage and retracted state, suggests a history of poor living conditions or care.

The limited, generic advice and the poor condition of the animal and its enclosure components made the choice clear: this was not the place to purchase from.

✅ Conclusion: Buyer Beware

This experience reinforced a critical lesson for any prospective pet owner: Do your research first!

A good pet supplier should be able to:

• Identify the exact species they are selling.
• Provide a healthy animal that is active and alert, not chronically aestivating.
• Offer a starter kit that includes all necessary elements for a specific species, such as a thermometer/hygrometer and, potentially, a heat mat (depending on house temperature).
• Advise on the appropriate size and humid environment needed.

My search continues, but I am now even more committed to finding a reputable breeder or supplier who demonstrates genuine expertise and provides a healthy, well-cared-for snail.