Turkish snail (Helix lucorum)

Short answers

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

40×25×25 cm.

Turkish snail: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 16–24 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 12–18 °C.

Turkish snail: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Turkish snail: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Turkish snail: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

16–24 °C

Night temperature

12–18 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×25×25 cm

Substrate

Soil and coco humus 8–10 cm, leaf litter, a calcium source

Feeding

Food

Vegetables, herbs, fruit, cuttlebone

Feeding interval

fresh food daily

Key facts

Adult size

shell 4–5 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

South-eastern Europe, Asia Minor; naturalised in southern Europe

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–16 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Group. Several animals in a sufficiently large, humid enclosure get on well and can breed; keeping one alone also works but is unnaturally quiet. Important: do not mix with other snail species or wild-caught animals, as diseases can be passed on.

Notes

A strongly banded relative of the native Roman snail, a little more tolerant of warmth. It needs a genuine winter rest – without it the animals live markedly shorter lives.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Turkish snail (Helix lucorum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Roman snail (Helix pomatia) – Beginner
• Giant African land snail (Lissachatina immaculata) – 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 Turkish snail (Helix lucorum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×25×25 cm), substrate (Soil and coco humus 8–10 cm, leaf litter, a calcium source), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.