Fresh Water Snails

[xephyr17]

There is a creek nearby my house with TONS of fresh water snails in it. I'm curious to know if I could get some of them and bring them home (obviously do the research on raising them) and get some eggs going, etc. and have a colony of them.

Also, I'd need to know if I could even feed them to a chameleon... They're pretty much just regular snails that go under water, right? So, so long as I could get them to stick to the branches and the chameleons eat them fast enough so they don't die, it'll be fine, right?

Thanks,
Dillon

 

[xephyr17]

Anyone know about this? Or know where I could look?

 

[Rodcham]

Sorry, really have no clue on this one.... can you identify the species and then maybe try a toxicity search?

 

[xephyr17]

Might try that thanks

 

[MelissaB]

I think the reason most people don't use aquatic snails, is they have a greater chance of having parasites. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe that's what I read here.
Some people buy or capture land snails and separate the eggs from the adults to reduce the chances of the baby snails having parasites. That's what I've been doing, and it's been working out pretty well. They are poop machines!

 

[pigglett79]

I wouldnt risk wild snails of any type, but aquatic snails are even higher risk for parasites. I would only feed captive bred snails.

 

[xephyr17]

Yeah, my plan is to breed them and use the grown baby snails as feeders, removing the adults.

 

[waynek]

not only parasites but trace elements of toxic chemicals and heavy metals are always possible

 

[sandrachameleon]

I think the reason most people don't use aquatic snails, is they have a greater chance of having parasites.

^ This
................

 

[Psychobunny]

not only parasites but trace elements of toxic chemicals and heavy metals are always possible

I agree with you.
Not only are aquatic snails loaded with parasites, they could also have heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.), esp if they are bottom dwellers.

Not worth the risk.

Helix land snails, captive raised, would be the only snail I would use as a feeder.

 

[xephyr17]

Alright, thanks for the info, guys!

I'll just stick with my land snails