The daily routine (or daily rhythm) of snails is unusual. If the owner does not know his characteristics, then he may worry in vain, or vice versa, miss the moment when something went wrong.
First, let’s figure out the concept that applies to the daily regimen. It is called the circadian rhythm. These are all changes (physical and behavioral) that occur during the earth’s day (24 hours). One of the main changes is the transition from the waking phase to the sleep phase. The circadian rhythms of every living organism are regulated by an innate biological clock. It is a collection of molecules that affects almost every organ.
Most interestingly, the snail regimen extends beyond the 24-hour window. The first step is to deal with sleep.
Sleep habits
In 2011 a large-scale study was carried out in Toronto, during which scientists found out whether the snail’s sleep really lasts so long. After all, animals sleep on average 13-15 hours. The testing tested the fact of deep sleep, and not just rest. For this, the reaction of animals to stimuli and offered food was tested.
The conclusion was this: mollusks fall asleep, and then the phase of activity begins, which lasts 30 hours! Thus, the sleep-wake cycle lasts not the usual day for us, but at least 43 hours. It happens that this phase stretches for three days. This difference explains the fact why sometimes the animal is active in the evening, and sometimes in the morning or afternoon.
Loss of habitual sleep for snails is not terrible, and compensation is not required in this case.
Hibernation
All terrestrial gastropods fall into a state of suspended animation under unfavorable conditions. In countries with a changeable climate, snails fall asleep with the onset of cold weather. African Achatina do not need this, since the weather is always hot in their homeland. But excessive drought or lack of food can also trigger prolonged sleep.
The molluscs are completely immersed in the sink and close the entrance with a special lime plug, which serves as a reliable protection. At the same time, life processes in the body slow down. Hibernation lasts until the surrounding conditions become favorable
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In this state, the animal can spend up to three years. However, the longer the sleep lasts, the more difficult it is for the snail to wake up from it.
Molluscs of the Helix group (grape, garden) burrow into the ground for the winter. They dig a deep hole in advance, crawl into it and close the mouth of the shell with an epiphragm (the same plug). When it gets warm enough, the snails push out the shield, eat it, and crawl to the surface. During this time, gastropods lose about 10% of their weight. However, the loss is quickly restored through active eating.
Meal mode
It is recommended to feed snails once a day. But in principle, adults can get by with feeding once every two days. In this case, the remnants of food must be removed. The high humidity in the shellfish promotes the rapid growth of bacteria.
Molluscs gnaw calcium stone as needed. Sometimes it lies untouched for days, and sometimes the snail needs to constantly replenish its supply of minerals.
It is enough to give the grain mixture 2 times a week. But plant food (the basis of the diet) must be present on the animal’s «table» all the time.
These are perhaps the highlights of the snail mode. Knowing about them, now you will not worry, watching how the pet is stationary for a long time.