How much do garden snails eat?

Question

How many grams of vegetation would an active common garden snail be expected to eat each day/week?

Also, why is it important for snails that they have a constant supply of water? What do they use it for?

Answer 1

Snails use the water to replace what is lost through the mucus. Snails evolved in water. Some aquatic organisms made the transition to land by having a nearly water tight epidermis to block evaporative losses. The snails had a shell that was already water tight except the opening. As they left water they laid mucus down to prevent water loss and smooth the surfaces they traveled over. This evolved into heavier mucus and eventual permanent terrestrial habitation. The problem is that they are prone to dehydration if they are not in contact with moist soil. The mucus is used and is not truly water tight.

Snails can consume up to 40% of its body weight within a 24 hr period especially when it is being active. They will eat more in the springtime in order to compensate for the weight loss that occurs during hibernation.

Answer 2

It's up to you. catch your snails. keep in a jar for a couple of days so they excrete what they have eaten. Garden snails are much smaller than the edible ones. Make sure no slug / snail bait has been put down or you'll be eating poison yourself. Wash them. Boil a pan of water with some chopped onion and garlic and any other herbs you want. Add the live snails and boil for 15 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to drain. Serve warm with garlic butter. You'll need a sharp implement to poke out the flesh. The only reason for eating snails is to taste the garlic butter! I've never tried this, so good luck!

Answer 3

i feed my carrots like little stips of them it eats 2 or 3 strips a day

Answer 4

i had a snail once and he ate hardly anything

Answer 5

Unlimited, they don't stop eating at all.