Giant Ghana snail (Achatina achatina)

Short answers

Giant Ghana snail: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 50×40×40 cm (a single animal); ~80×50×50 cm for a group of about 5.

Giant Ghana snail: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–29 °C, at night 24–25 °C.

Giant Ghana snail: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Giant Ghana snail: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Giant Ghana snail: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–29 °C

Night temperature

24–25 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

85–90 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 50×40×40 cm (a single animal); ~80×50×50 cm for a group of about 5

Substrate

A loose coco humus and sphagnum mix with a moss covering, deep and permanently damp and warm; rich in calcium

Feeding

Food

Vegetables, fruit, flowers, dandelion; a cuttlebone or calcium is essential for the shell

Feeding interval

Fresh food daily (in the evening); always offer a calcium source

Key facts

Adult size

The largest land snail – shell up to ~20 cm (record ~27 cm), the animal up to ~30 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

West Africa (rainforest)

Protection status

No CITES listing; freely keepable in Germany. Invasive/banned in some countries (including the USA) - do not release.

Brumation

None (tropical). Cold or dry conditions risk aestivation – keep them constantly warm and humid.

Cohabitation

Group keeping is straightforward and recommended – sociable hermaphrodites with no territoriality.

Notes

More demanding than L. fulica in humidity and warmth (higher values are needed, and a heat lamp is usually required). Harder to breed in captivity. The main mistakes: too cool, too dry, and a lack of calcium.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Giant Ghana snail (Achatina achatina) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant African land snail (Lissachatina immaculata) – Beginner
• Roman snail (Helix pomatia) – Beginner
• Flame land snail (Limicolaria flammea) – Beginner
• Garden snail (Cornu aspersum) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant Ghana snail (Achatina achatina) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 50×40×40 cm (a single animal); ~80×50×50 cm for a group of about 5), substrate (A loose coco humus and sphagnum mix with a moss covering, deep and permanently damp and warm; rich in calcium), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.