Giant African land snail
Achatina fulica
We are home to one giant African land snail at the zoo who can be found in the Wee Beasties building.
Population
Unknown
Diet
Omnivore
Habitat
Forest
Fact file
They can be as large as an adult man’s fist!
Giant African land snails need a steady supply of calcium to grow. To get it they feed on bones, eggshells, oysters and the shells of other snails
A single snail can produce 1,200 eggs a year
They are nocturnal, moving around at night to feed on a wide range of plants
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care our giant African land snails are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation