Garden snail (Cornu aspersum)

Short answers

Garden snail: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Approx. 40×25×25 cm (a small group); 60×30×35 cm is better for about 5 animals.

Garden snail: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, at night 14–18 °C.

Garden snail: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal); only a day/night rhythm and room lighting.

Garden snail: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 2–5 years.

Garden snail: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

65–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal); only a day/night rhythm and room lighting

Enclosure

Minimum size

approx. 40×25×25 cm (a small group); 60×30×35 cm is better for about 5 animals

Substrate

Unfertilised, peat-free coco humus or lime-rich soil, several cm deep; damp, without waterlogging; a small water dish

Feeding

Food

Vegetables (mainly cucumber, courgette, carrot, lettuce), wild herbs (dandelion), fruit; a cuttlebone or calcium is essential

Feeding interval

Fresh food daily; always offer a calcium source

Key facts

Adult size

shell ~3–4 cm (the 'maxima' form up to ~4.5 cm)

Life expectancy

2–5 years

Origin

The Mediterranean and western Europe (introduced worldwide)

Protection status

Specially protected in Germany under the Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV, Annex 1, as Helix aspersa), but only native wild populations. Not CITES-listed. Do not take animals from the wild.

Brumation

Recommended – a cool overwintering at about 5–10 °C, frost-free; less cold-tolerant than H. pomatia (do not overwinter it outdoors).

Cohabitation

Group. Sociable hermaphrodites, the sources describe peaceful life in groups; several animals are even needed for mating, because they usually mate with a partner instead of fertilising themselves. Downside: with many animals you soon have many eggs, and young can eat siblings. Single keeping is equally possible. Important: never release animals or eggs into nature.

Notes

Do not release it into the wild (a pest and invasive). Common mistakes: too dry, fertilised or peaty soil, a lack of calcium. "maxima" is a cultivated form of C. aspersum.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Garden snail (Cornu aspersum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant African land snail (Lissachatina immaculata) – Beginner
• Roman snail (Helix pomatia) – Beginner
• Flame land snail (Limicolaria flammea) – Beginner
• Giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) – Beginner
• Giant West African land snail (Archachatina marginata) – Beginner
• Cuban land snail (Caracolus sagemon) – Intermediate
• Giant land snail (Megalobulimus oblongus) – Intermediate
• Giant Ghana snail (Achatina achatina) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Garden snail (Cornu aspersum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (approx. 40×25×25 cm (a small group); 60×30×35 cm is better for about 5 animals), substrate (Unfertilised, peat-free coco humus or lime-rich soil, several cm deep; damp, without waterlogging; a small water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.