Lissachatina fulica
Giant African Land Snail
Giant African land snails are calm, long-lived invertebrates popular for classroom and hobbyist keeping, but they are illegal in many places because of the serious agricultural and health risks they pose if released.
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At a glance
- Scientific name
- Lissachatina fulica
- Family
- Achatinidae
- Origin
- East Africa, now widespread as an invasive species elsewhere
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
- Adult size
- Shell up to 20 cm long
- Weight
- Up to 500 g
- Temperament
- Placid and slow; tolerates gentle handling well
- Activity level
- Low; most active at night and after misting
- Social needs
- Low, though can be kept in small groups if space allows
- Intelligence
- Simple, but shows learned orientation toward food and shelter
- Noise
- Silent
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Ventilated tank at least 45 x 30 x 30 cm with 8–10 cm of damp coir or soil substrate
- Space requirement
- Floor area with climbing décor and a secure, well-ventilated lid
- Temperature
- 22–28°C
- Humidity
- 70–90%, maintained with regular misting
- Exercise
- Floor space to roam and climb enclosure furnishings
- Grooming
- Not applicable; shell should be kept free of substrate buildup
Life stages and changing needs
Expanded care guidance · Updated 7 October 2026 · Not professionally reviewed
Young
Giant African land snail hatchlings are tiny and fragile, and need a warm, humid plastic or glass enclosure with several centimetres of moist, chemical-free coir or topsoil substrate they can burrow into. Constant access to calcium — cuttlefish bone is the usual choice — is essential from the first days, because a growing snail that cannot get enough calcium develops a thin, deformed shell that never fully recovers. Handle youngsters as little as possible and always with wet hands, since dry skin damages their mucus layer.
Adult
Adult giant land snails are surprisingly large, long-lived and productive: they can live five to ten years and lay clutches of hundreds of eggs, so keepers must freeze and dispose of any eggs humanely rather than releasing or casually rearing them, and in many countries this species is illegal to keep or release because it is a serious invasive pest — check your local rules before acquiring one. Adults need a roomy enclosure kept warm, around 22 to 26 degrees, and humid, with deep substrate for burying and laying.
Senior
Older snails slow down, eat less and may show shell growth-lines and gradual thinning or wear at the shell apex. Maintain warmth, humidity and calcium access, keep the substrate clean to prevent bacterial problems in a less active animal, and watch for a snail that remains retracted deep in its shell for many days, which can indicate declining health. A snail that has sealed itself with a thick epiphragm during a cool, dry spell is aestivating; gently restoring warmth and humidity usually rouses it.
Diet and feeding
Leafy greens, vegetables, cuttlebone or another calcium source, and occasional fruit
Feed a varied mix of vegetables and leafy greens — courgette, cucumber, sweet potato, romaine and similar — washed and free of pesticides, with a permanent calcium source such as cuttlefish bone or crushed oyster shell available at all times for shell maintenance. Remove uneaten fresh food daily before it moulds, since decaying food quickly fouls the humid enclosure.
Avoid salty, seasoned or processed human foods entirely, and never let snails contact salt, which is lethal to them. Some keepers offer a little protein such as plain soaked fish flakes occasionally, but the core diet is vegetable matter plus calcium; clean water in a shallow, tip-proof dish should be available for drinking and bathing.
Daily care and ongoing checks
Every day
Mist the enclosure to keep humidity high and the substrate moist but not waterlogged, and check the temperature stays in the warm range the species needs. Remove visible waste and uneaten food, since a warm, damp enclosure grows mould and mites quickly if neglected.
Regular maintenance and prevention
Check each snail is active or normally resting attached to a surface, look over shells for cracks or erosion, and confirm the calcium source has not been exhausted; shell condition is the clearest visible indicator of whether the diet and environment are right.
Behaviour and compatibility
Nocturnal foraging, burrowing during the day, extending its body fully when active
- With children
- Good introductory pet for supervised gentle handling, with hand-washing afterward
- With other animals
- Keep away from other pets that might prey on or stress it
- Training difficulty
- Not applicable
Health
- Shell damage from falls or rough handling
- Dehydration in low humidity
- Parasite transmission risk to humans if handled without hygiene
Few vets treat land snails, though some exotic-animal vets can advise; prevention through hygiene and stable humidity is essential
Special care requirements
Always wash hands thoroughly after handling, since the species can carry a parasite that affects humans
Calcium shell-support and habitat moisture
Snails need a warm, high-humidity environment with deep, clean substrate for burying and regulating their moisture levels. A constant, reliable source of calcium is non-negotiable for shell integrity and healthy growth; failure to provide it will lead to severe shell deformation.
Before you take one on
Sources and further guidance
These welfare and veterinary resources inform general husbandry advice; they do not certify this profile or replace a species-experienced professional. Confirm exact environmental settings and feeding plans for your animal.
Quick answers
- How big can giant African land snails get?
- Achatina fulica shells commonly reach about 7–8 cm long, and large individuals can reach about 20 cm. Related Achatina species can grow larger. They are an invasive pest, and keeping them is illegal in some countries, including the USA. USDA APHIS
Can your home meet giant african land snail needs?
- Plan for a lifespan of 5–10 years, including holiday cover and, where one is available, a vet familiar with this species. Lifespan ranges are not guarantees.
- Arrange the social setting before arrival. Social guidance for this species: Low, though can be kept in small groups if space allows. Do not assume another animal of any species is a suitable companion.
- Habitat priority for this species: Floor area with climbing décor and a secure, well-ventilated lid. Make sure your setup can provide this consistently. Measure temperatures and humidity with thermometers and a hygrometer rather than guessing.
- Key care point: Always wash hands thoroughly after handling, since the species can carry a parasite that affects humans. Discuss diet and any specialist needs with the supplier, rescue and a vet who treats this species, and check local legal requirements before acquiring an animal.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.