Snails!

Post by **JediMasterThrash** » Sun May 08, 2011 12:48 pm

While at Petsmart I saw a container for a new hermit crab food (well new to me anyway)JurassiDiet Easi-Mix Hermit Crab FoodIngredients:de-shelled, farm raised snails (achatina fulica), river shrimp (macrobrachium nipponense). Refridgerate after opening. Not intended for human consumption.I was quite intrigued. First, I usually don't find shrimp that aren't freeze-dried. Second, snails!So I gave it a try.I threw a little in the food bowl last night. Wow, the snails were a hit!A crab went into the bowl, and went straight for a snail.Then another crab walks in, pushes him away, and steals the snail. He's so enamored eating the snail he falls over backwards over the edge of the bowl.He gets back in. They eat it by gripping the snail in the big pincher, and then ripping off little pieces with the feeder claw.The smaller crab sneaks back in, and deftly extends his claw under the legs of the other, and sneaks away another snail.Then he's so enamored eating it, he also falls backwards over the edge of the food bowl.And it gets better from there. An E runs over to him, punches him away with the typical E double-claw punch, and then grabs the snail, and takes off with it. Then the other crab goes back into the bowl, grabs another snail, and takes off the other direction with it.Oh the crabby mealtime adventures.

Frostfire · Post by **Frostfire** » Sun May 08, 2011 12:58 pm

I'll be keeping an eye out. How much was it?

KittyCaller · Post by **KittyCaller** » Sun May 08, 2011 1:21 pm

Huh! I'm always looking for new sources of protein. I'll have to give this one a shot! Thanks for the heads up.

gsgirl19(: · Post by **gsgirl19(:** » Sun May 08, 2011 1:40 pm

that sounds like something id like to try! yes...how much ws it?

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Sun May 08, 2011 2:53 pm

Will have to try that for my guys - wonder how long the fresh snails would keep in the frig? I know I maybe get two weeks or so out of the fresh crickets for my rodents.Thanks for sharing.

Frostfire · Post by **Frostfire** » Sun May 08, 2011 3:03 pm

Your right, I wouldn't want to be feeding my crabs expired snails XP. This reminds me, I'm so proud of my petco, they are actually selling suitable hermit crab supplies! I have found moss, sponges, EE, sand, food dishes, cuttle bone, meal worms, and heaters added to their inventory. Although it's not all the best quality or marketed for hermit crabs, it's a previous improvement over the stupid shells they had before, that wouldn't even work for hermit crabs. I like to think it's partly because of me, who mentioned some stuff to the head fish reptile guy, and he must of realized he knew nothing about them, but maybe not. Next up is their crabitat, which has major humidity issues.

dylan644 · Post by **dylan644** » Sun May 08, 2011 4:19 pm

Ya how much is it? And where did you get it, PetSmart?

Post by **JediMasterThrash** » Sun May 15, 2011 4:51 am

I got it at petsmart. It was like 5$ or something along those lines.I also picked up a freeze-dried mix that included shrimp, meal worms, and crickets!The crickets were a bit hit! Just like the snails, when I added that in, the crabs went straight for the crickets first. And they knew it was competition so they just grabbed and ran like with the snails. Not sitting around waiting for something else to take it from them.They sell that stuff for reptiles. they also have one with grashoppers I think I'll try next.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Sun May 15, 2011 5:50 am

Love the play by play, JMT. Great visual, made me laugh. I've probably offered everything but snails so I'll have to give that a whirl and hope to get the same fun reactions as yours.

dylan644 · Post by **dylan644** » Sun May 15, 2011 6:46 am

That's what I thought. I saw something in there like that one day...... I will have to get some money and go to columbus with my grandpa next time he goes up there. Right now I have $10 for KingsIsland next saturday.....goin to have some fun

Crabina · Post by **Crabina** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:07 pm

I'm trying mealworms for the first time tonight so hope it goes well! I'm for sure gonna get some of those snails sounds like a hit!

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:17 pm

mine are just now liking dehydrated meal worms & dehydrated worms, after having them almost 3 yrs! The crabs that is! Man, they can be picky!

Crabina · Post by **Crabina** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:28 pm

Yes Laurie they are very picky eaters! It would be nice to find a food where they would all run to the bowl! I know that certain food is out their but grrr I'm not having any luck

Shelly · Post by **Shelly** » Tue May 17, 2011 1:26 am

OMG you were not kidding!!! I went and got them some yesterday and it was gone in NO TIME!Big hit, thanks for letting us know about it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 17, 2011 1:32 am

Ok that seals it...on my way to Petsmart later *lol*