Giant West African land snail (Archachatina marginata)

Short answers

Giant West African land snail: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 40×40×40 cm (a single animal); ~100×50×50 cm for a group of three or more.

Giant West African land snail: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–28 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Giant West African land snail: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Giant West African land snail: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Giant West African land snail: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–28 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 40×40×40 cm (a single animal); ~100×50×50 cm for a group of three or more

Substrate

Peat-free coco humus or terrarium soil with sphagnum moss, deep and permanently damp and warm; rich in calcium

Feeding

Food

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

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

shell ~13–18 cm (the animal up to ~20 cm)

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

West and Central Africa (Nigeria among others), rainforest

Protection status

No CITES, and it may be kept freely in Germany. Prohibited as an invasive species in some countries – do not release it into the wild.

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

Group keeping is recommended (at least three animals) – sociable hermaphrodites with no territoriality; mind the calcium and hygiene.

Notes

It lays fewer but larger eggs than Lissachatina fulica. A heat lamp (a dark emitter) is usually needed to hold the temperature and humidity. 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 West African land snail (Archachatina marginata) 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
• 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 Giant West African land snail (Archachatina marginata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 40×40×40 cm (a single animal); ~100×50×50 cm for a group of three or more), substrate (Peat-free coco humus or terrarium soil with sphagnum moss, 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.