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This Fire Snail Is The Vampire Equivalent Of A Slug
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This Fire Snail Is The Vampire Equivalent Of A Slug

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While the world seems to be divided into cat people and dog people, apparently they’re just not everyone’s cup of tea. We’re not sure if SpongeBob may have contributed to this trend with his adorable, catlike pet snail Gary, but it turns out some people like to keep snails as pets rather than any other traditional pet. But this snail type is definitely not anything like SpongeBob’s pet Gary. It’s probably safe to say that the fire snail looks more like a goth equivalent of snails.

More info: Facebook

Platymma tweediei is arguably the largest snail from the Peninsula of Malaysia

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

While not so many people choose to keep snails as their pets, these cool animals are pretty interesting nonetheless.

It is also known as the fire snail due to its distinct red coloring

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

Generally, the term “snail” is used to describe terrestrial shelled gastropods or mollusks, as well as sea snails and freshwater snails.

Fire snails can only be found in the Peninsula of Malaysia

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

Some snails are used for food, their secretion is used in cosmetics, and their shells are often used as decorative objects and in jewelry.

They can only be found in an area of about 100 km in radius, 1000 m above sea level

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

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Some snails can grow up to 30 cm in size. The biggest known species is the giant African snail, which lives in Ghana.

Turns out, they have been intensely collected from their natural habitat to sell as pets

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

They move with the help of a strong muscular foot and use their secretion to crawl on rough surfaces.

But it’s very difficult to keep them alive in captivity

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

Snails are known for their proverbially low speed, as some of them move at an average speed of 1 mm/s.

Because fire snails only survive in very cool and humid conditions

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

All snails have a strong shell that grows in accordance with the growth of their bodies.

For example, the humidity in the Malaysian town Tanah Rata is 79%

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Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

For the snail to grow a strong and healthy shell, it needs a good supply of calcium in its diet and environment.

However, the challenge of keeping them alive doesn’t seem to scare off terrestrial snail collectors

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

When a snail retreats to its shell, it can protect itself with a door-like structure called an operculum.

As this mystical-looking snail is a prized possession for exotic pet keepers

Image credits: Maxs Exotic Pet Garden

Most land snails live in damp or wet habitats, such as moss.

People had some witty remarks about fire snails’ distinct looks

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rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never thought I would say this, but what a beautiful snail. Pity people insist on killing the species off by keeping them in captivity.

thearcherfrog avatar
The Random Merp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ngl, as an invertebrate keeper, my first reaction was that I wanted one, until I read all of the information. They look amazing, but can take better care of themselves than you can of them. Hope that these beauties are left alone!

sarahpolhaus avatar
Ruby
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it's a cliche but nature is indeed the greatest artist of all. Beautiful.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous snail. Poor things though, being taken out of their natural habitat to be pets.

nataliamorgadonardi avatar
NMN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, a highly endemic species, being threatened by pet collection and here BP is sharing pics from one of those that maintain it as a pet (and apparently other animals that face the same threat of pet trade). Disgusting behavior BP

kathryndonovan avatar
Kathryn Donovan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This critter is gorgeous! But also... a bit creepy and tongue-like!

support_55 avatar
SciFi Vortex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try this instead. "This Fire Snail is the slug equivalent of a vampire." The English language ... a dying art.

carolyn_martin avatar
Carolyn Martin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a gorgeous snail. I just wish folks would leave them alone. By keeping them as pets they will become extinct 😩 sometime soon!!

lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years ago, I had a regular garden snail as a pet. Its diameter was the size of a quarter. It lived about two and a half years and had lots of leafy greens to much on. I don't know how old it was when I found it. This fire snail is very impressive, but I think it would freak out my family. They put their foot down when I wanted a tarantula.

harold03150 avatar
Addi's
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On first sight it looks horrible and other side its have too sharp and sexy colors to handle ;)

klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really fascinating creature- makes me think of something from Harry Potter. (I just can't see the appeal of a pet snail though...)

kitthedudess avatar
Kit The Dudess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely beautiful snail. I wish people would stop taking wildlife of any/all types from their natural habitats just to keep as pets. All creatures have enough problems with climate change and human encroaching and destroying natural habits.

myriam_ickx avatar
Myriam Ickx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This superb specie's future does indeed look very grim. I researched the name and found mostly online sellers...

irenewalton2001 avatar
Irene Walton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

too bad they insist on killing them off, much like chinese with bear gall bladders, rhino horns etc...

anirudhraghunath avatar
Drake Ramoray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just wanted to ask....Why are you holding it in your hand???

sagtiya avatar
Sagtiya Sieelan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I liked the comment " must be the fast Ferrari snail"😂.. it's gorgeous & kind of a gothic look to it. No wonder the title refers to vampire😬

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never thought I would say this, but what a beautiful snail. Pity people insist on killing the species off by keeping them in captivity.

thearcherfrog avatar
The Random Merp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ngl, as an invertebrate keeper, my first reaction was that I wanted one, until I read all of the information. They look amazing, but can take better care of themselves than you can of them. Hope that these beauties are left alone!

sarahpolhaus avatar
Ruby
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know it's a cliche but nature is indeed the greatest artist of all. Beautiful.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gorgeous snail. Poor things though, being taken out of their natural habitat to be pets.

nataliamorgadonardi avatar
NMN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, a highly endemic species, being threatened by pet collection and here BP is sharing pics from one of those that maintain it as a pet (and apparently other animals that face the same threat of pet trade). Disgusting behavior BP

kathryndonovan avatar
Kathryn Donovan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This critter is gorgeous! But also... a bit creepy and tongue-like!

support_55 avatar
SciFi Vortex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try this instead. "This Fire Snail is the slug equivalent of a vampire." The English language ... a dying art.

carolyn_martin avatar
Carolyn Martin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a gorgeous snail. I just wish folks would leave them alone. By keeping them as pets they will become extinct 😩 sometime soon!!

lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years ago, I had a regular garden snail as a pet. Its diameter was the size of a quarter. It lived about two and a half years and had lots of leafy greens to much on. I don't know how old it was when I found it. This fire snail is very impressive, but I think it would freak out my family. They put their foot down when I wanted a tarantula.

harold03150 avatar
Addi's
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On first sight it looks horrible and other side its have too sharp and sexy colors to handle ;)

klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really fascinating creature- makes me think of something from Harry Potter. (I just can't see the appeal of a pet snail though...)

kitthedudess avatar
Kit The Dudess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely beautiful snail. I wish people would stop taking wildlife of any/all types from their natural habitats just to keep as pets. All creatures have enough problems with climate change and human encroaching and destroying natural habits.

myriam_ickx avatar
Myriam Ickx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This superb specie's future does indeed look very grim. I researched the name and found mostly online sellers...

irenewalton2001 avatar
Irene Walton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

too bad they insist on killing them off, much like chinese with bear gall bladders, rhino horns etc...

anirudhraghunath avatar
Drake Ramoray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just wanted to ask....Why are you holding it in your hand???

sagtiya avatar
Sagtiya Sieelan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I liked the comment " must be the fast Ferrari snail"😂.. it's gorgeous & kind of a gothic look to it. No wonder the title refers to vampire😬

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