Feeder Snails for Monitors

[jarich]

Does anyone know if Assassin snails are okay as feeders for Savannah's? I have someone just down the road with loads I could get for free, but Im not sure if they are toxic or no good in some other way. I cant seem to find anything online about it, so thought I would ask around.

Thanks!

[infernalis]

I find nothing as well, but I also find nothing to indicate any danger.

[jarich]

Ya, I didnt either. The price is right, but I definitely dont want to make a guinea pig out of my sav for the sake of saving a few bucks. Guess I better pass for now.

[SpOoKy]

As far as I know most shellfish is okay for them as long as it doesn't have thiamine?

[jarich]

Ya, I more concerned about the toxicity issue. They are carnivorous and take down large prey so Im worried that they might be toxic in some sense.

[SpOoKy]

True, well if you find out please do share :)

[jarich]

Ok so after tracking down a bit more information I think I have a more definitive answer. These guys belong to the group known as whelks, which are pretty much just a close relative of snails. There is some limited speculation, but the prevalent scientific theory seems to be that they are both very fast (in the snail world, that is) and have a secret weapon. When they run their prey down, they then inject them with a dab of sulfuric acid. So, long story short, they seem to be acceptable prey items as long as they are frozen first. Freezing them is good anyway as it will do away with lots of the parasites that snails have naturally. Im off to get some tonight...

[stephanbakir]

Best of luck

[Norm66]

Cool. I know assassin snails are really cool in aquariums. I wish I could get one or two for each of my tanks just to watch them eat Malaysian Trumpet Snails. I don't have a problem with the MTS but it would be neat to watch the assassins.

Make a video of the Sav eating them, I like watching Savs eat. LOL