Have you ever wondered what a snail’s favorite food is? Do you have a bunch of grapes lying around and are curious if your shelled friend would be interested in munching on them?
Snails eat grapes because they are a good source of hydration and contain nutrients like antioxidants and vitamin C. However, research has not shown that snails can benefit from grapes like humans do. Snails can only consume small quantities of grapes, as too much fruit can harm their health.
In the rest of this article, I will delve into what snails typically eat, whether or not they can consume fruits, what they drink, and when they like to eat.
What Do Snails Eat?
You can feed snails many types of fruits and vegetables, such as:
- Apple
- Carrot
- Lettuce
Snails like such foods because they are easy to digest. Snails need moisture to survive. Snails also need a source of calcium, so you might consider feeding them something like:
- Crushed eggshells
- Cuttlefish bone
I recommend the emours Natural Cuttlefish Bone from Amazon. Packed with natural calcium and minerals, this cuttlefish bone is suitable for various animals, including snails, birds, and small animals. Measuring about 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length and available in assorted sizes, grind it into a powder and add it to your snail’s food for a healthy boost.
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If you want to learn how to make free calcium for your snails, take care of your giant land snails, or use eggshells for snail care, I highly recommend watching the YouTube video linked below.
But let’s dive a little deeper into what snails like to eat.
Snails and slugs have evolved to eat almost anything. These slimy creatures can be referred to as herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, and detritivorous.
Snails can eat:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Plants
- Decaying waste from plants and animals
- Rotting vegetation
- Other snails
- Worms
- Fungus
Garden snails can often be seen feeding on leafy greens in the garden, including:
- Lettuce
- Kale cabbage
- Spinach
Snails also like to eat the following:
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Essentially any moist vegetation that contains a high-water content
Snails like to eat apples, which can be a great source of hydration. In fact, bananas, watermelon, and blueberries are also sources of hydration for snails; the same is true for spinach and other leafy plants.
However, you should know that snails should only eat fruits in moderation (More on this in a moment).
Can Snails Eat Fruits?
Snails cannot digest fruit due to their simple digestive system. They have a rough tongue called a radula used to grind food.
However, their digestive system is designed to break down the following:
- Leaves
- Stems
- Other tough plant matter
Consequently, snails find it hard to digest the simple sugars found in fruit.
What’s more, the acidity of fruit can harm the snail’s digestive system, which is largely why they avoid eating too much fruit.
Can Snails Eat Rotten Plants or Fruits?
You will also find snails eating rotten plant material and decaying fruits. This is another reason they are so plentiful in the garden.
However, it’s worth remembering that snails are not harmful to garden plants. They are only a nuisance at times because they show up in large numbers and cause damage to certain crops.
As for their favorite food, snails don’t really have a favorite food, but they generally enjoy everything mentioned above as they require a balanced diet to survive.
What Do Snails Drink?
Snails mostly drink water to stay hydrated. As mentioned, they need moisture to survive, and snails have a special organ called a mantle that helps them breathe and absorb water.
Their bodies are also designed to retain this water, and snails can be very resourceful when it comes to staying hydrated.
For example, snails can extract moisture from the air and from different types of surfaces, such as:
- Leaves
- Rocks
However, if they cannot find enough moisture in the area, they will actively search for a body of water such as:
- Stream
- Puddle
- Dew on plants
Aquatic snails don’t have this problem as often because they prefer to live in a body of water which gives them constant access to the water and moisture they require for survival.
What Can Snails Not Drink?
Certain substances are harmful to snails.
- Caffeine and alcohol are considered toxic to snails.
- Snails can have an adverse reaction to any dairy product.
This is because snails cannot digest dairy products properly, and alcohol and caffeine contain toxins that can cause damage to a snail’s digestive system.
With this in mind, it is always best for snails to drink water and avoid any bodies of water containing chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides.
If you’re interested in learning whether or not tap water can harm snails, I recommend checking out this informative piece on the topic.
But what about garden snails? What do they eat, and how do they eat?
How Do Garden Snails Eat?
Garden snails can also eat the following:
- Various types of fruit.
- Vegetables.
- Plants, including flowers.
They use their radula (a tongue-like organ) to break down their food. However, garden snails only eat small amounts of food even though they frequently eat throughout the day and night.
In fact, garden snails exhibit the same behavior as most other types of snails.
So that you know, the Helix aspersa species is most commonly found in gardens. The main differences with a garden snail are their size, shape, shell, and color.
Garden snails are usually brown or yellow with a spiral-shaped shell roughly 1 or maybe 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm) in diameter.
When Do Snails Eat?
Snails are mostly nocturnal, so they tend to eat in the early morning or at night. They also like to hide during the day and shelter in shady, damp areas without heat.
On occasion, snails will come out during the day to feed, but this is usually because the weather is rainy or overcast, at the very least.
In case you might be asking yourself, snails are nocturnal because they are cold-blooded animals, and their feeding habits are dictated by the weather/temperature.
What Foods Are Bad for Snails?
Snails are not able to eat acidic or salty food. This is because acid and salt can harm their digestive system, and salt in quantities can even cause snails to die, so it should go without saying that you should never feed snails salty, sugary, or processed food.
Just so you know, some vegetables, like onions, are considered very harmful because they have a negative impact on the digestive system of snails.
Believe it or not, even though milk is a strong source of calcium, snails don’t like any dairy product.
How to Feed a Snail in an Aquarium
Feeding a snail in an aquarium involves providing them with suitable food sources and ensuring they receive adequate calcium for healthy shell development. Freshwater snails typically consume the following:
- Algae
- Deceased plants
- Leftover fish food
- Dead fish
It’s crucial to offer them a consistent supply of these food options. In case you utilize reverse osmosis or deionized water, remember to reintroduce essential minerals and trace elements by adding a reserve osmosis water replenisher to maintain a proper nutrient balance for the snail’s overall well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, snails can indeed eat grapes, but it’s important to remember that they should only be given in moderation. Snails enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, but they also need calcium and protein to thrive.
If you plan on keeping a pet snail, it’s essential to provide a balanced diet that meets its nutritional needs.
Additionally, snails require access to fresh water and a moist environment to stay healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can land snails eat grapes?
Land snails can eat grapes. However, it’s important to feed them in moderation as grapes are high in sugar and can cause digestive issues if consumed in excess. Ensure the grapes are thoroughly washed and cut into small, manageable pieces for the snails to consume.
What vegetables do snails eat?
Snails primarily eat leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, lettuce, and spinach. They also consume various other vegetables, including artichokes, carrots, peas, potatoes, zucchini, sweet corn, and peppers. However, their preferences may vary, and they may eat additional vegetables depending on availability and individual taste.
Can snails eat blueberries?
Snails can eat blueberries, but they should be given in moderation as part of their diet. Blueberries can be a nutritious snack for snails, but overfeeding can lead to health issues. Remember to provide a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure their well-being.
Do snails eat tomatoes?
Snails do eat tomatoes, including both ripe and rotten ones. They are attracted to tomato plants and can feed on the stems and leaves, causing damage to the plant. You can take measures to protect your tomato plants from snails and slugs if you want to prevent damage to your crop.
Can snails eat raw carrots?
Snails can eat raw carrots. Carrots are a suitable food option for snails and can provide them with the necessary nutrients. It’s recommended to grate or finely chop the carrots to make them easier for snails to consume.
Sources
- Quora: What can I give my African snails as a good source of calcium (nothing artificial is working, and I cannot legally buy cuttlefish bones)?
- Fishlore: Feeding Snails Egg Shells For Calcium?
- Natural History Museum: A Microscopic Look at Snail Jaws
- CK-12: Mollusk Structure and Function
- IntechOpen: Gut Microbiome Analysis of Snails: A Biotechnological Approach
- WebMD: Foods High in Water
- PLOS One: Metagenomic Analysis of the Microbiota from the Crop of an Invasive Snail Reveals a Rich Reservoir of Novel Genes
- Ag Research | Montana State University: Snails
- Fresh Water Systems: Why You Should Use Reverse Osmosis Water for Your Aquarium
This article was written by Derek Cullen, a Dublin-born adventurer and travel writer with a passion for exploring the world. The article was expertly reviewed and edited by Paul Odoteh, founder of SnailPedia.com.
