Calcium for snails

Calcium is a life necessity for snails and for our African giant snails it must always be available as a supplement to the food. In this section we will cover different forms and ways of giving calcium to your snail and the pros and cons of the different ways. At the end of the section, we also briefly touch on topics such as calcium poisoning and calcium for a growing snail. As previously mentioned, your snail should always have access to calcium in some form.

Calcium powder

The most common forms in which it is found in these animals are in the form of calcium powder, cuttlefish shell, limestone and crushed eggshell. Initially, we will take a closer look at the use of calcium powder. Just as it sounds, it is calcium in the form of a white powder. It is easy to obtain, relatively inexpensive and sold at the nearest exotic animal supply store. There are many benefits to this option.

A disadvantage is that the powder gets stuck both on the snail and in its mucus and is then not eaten, which contributes to a large part often being wasted. As the powder is dragged around, the windows of the nest also get dirty faster, but the dirt there is something all owners have to count on regardless.

Cuttlefish shells

Now let's move on from having looked at lime powder to an overview of cuttlefish shells. Sepia shell is a form of squid skeleton that is used both for reptiles and birds' calcium absorption. Of all the options mentioned, this is usually the most expensive as they need to be shipped a long way many times, but it is also one of the options that last the longest and it is not unusual for them to last for months with regular munching. 

They give your snail something to occupy itself with for a long time and are a perfect enriching activator, while not at all dirty in the same way as the powder. So, if you are prepared to put in some extra money, this could be an excellent option. 

Eggshells
 A cheap and often highly appreciated form of calcium is eggshells from ordinary chicken eggs. It is easier for the snails to ingest than regular calcium powder, and how finely you crush it can be adapted to the size of your snails. What one should keep in mind is to always remove all remnants of egg from the shell as well as the membrane.

Calciumstone 

Last to mention, I say with a raised warning finger and that is to place a calciumstone i your snails tank. When I took delivery of my first African giant snail Turbo, the seller sent me home a calciumstone and it lasted almost a whole year. So they can be used for a long time and don't cost much either, but after I learned the seriousness of having stones with the snails, I immediately removed them. As highlighted in the chapter on the snail's home, stones should be strictly avoided as they can cause serious damage if the snail falls on them.

After highlighting all the pros and cons of these options, I want to say one last thing. It is not only what you like best that will rule, but instead the option that attracts your snail the most. Some are not at all interested in the hard form of lime, while others ignore the calcium powder. Discover and see what suits you both best in the long run!🐌❤️