Garden Snail

• ExerciseLow

  Mostly a sit-and-watch animal — good hides and enrichment matter more than exercise.

• GroomingRoutine husbandry

  Routine enclosure cleaning plus a humidity boost at shedding time.

• Living spaceCompact terrarium

  A modest terrarium is all the home they need.

• Owner experienceGreat first pet

  Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• Commitment2–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Shell rot · Dehydration · Nutritional deficiency

Cornu aspersum, the common brown garden snail, is native to the Mediterranean and Western Europe and now found worldwide. With a shell around 3-4 cm, it lives roughly 2-5 years in captivity, sometimes longer than in the wild. Cheap, easy, and hardy, it is an ideal first invertebrate, though wild-collected snails should be kept away from any that may have contacted pesticides. House one or several in a ventilated plastic or glass tank with a few centimetres of moist coco-fibre or soil, kept humid at 75-90 percent and at cool room temperature 15-24C. Add a cuttlebone for calcium and mist regularly to keep the environment damp. Feed leafy greens, cucumber, carrot, and other vegetables, removing uneaten food to prevent mould, and avoid salt entirely. These hermaphrodites breed readily, so expect eggs. Handle gently with wet fingers, always supporting rather than prising the snail loose.

• How active is a Garden Snail?

  Low. Mostly a sit-and-watch animal — good hides and enrichment matter more than exercise.

• How demanding is Garden Snail care?

  Routine husbandry. Routine enclosure cleaning plus a humidity boost at shedding time.

• What enclosure does a Garden Snail need?

  Compact terrarium. A modest terrarium is all the home they need.

• Is a Garden Snail a good fit for first-time owners?

  Great first pet. Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• How long do Garden Snail live?

  2–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Garden Snail?

  Keep an eye out for Shell rot, Dehydration, Nutritional deficiency. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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