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Caiman lizards and apple snails

herpatshirts Apr 21, 2010 08:43 PM

I'm expecting to receive a caiman lizard sometime this week, and I'm having one little problem. I was told they eat apple snails, but I can't seem to find a place to buy them in bulk. I keep reading that they're available at asian or korean groceries, but the few I've been to in my area don't have any. I've tried seafood markets as well, but they don't have anything, either. The only other option I have is to buy them from a pet store, but that's going to get really expensive really quick. Does anyone know of an online supplier where I can either buy live snails or snail meat in large amounts?

Thanks

Replies (3)

laurarfl Apr 22, 2010 08:31 AM

I don't know about live snails, but exo-terra has can o' snails.

Caiman lizards also eat insects, clams, small fish, and clams, so at least you can offer things on the menu.

Sounds like an awesome purchase...you'll have to post pics!

crimsonwolf1313 Apr 23, 2010 05:12 PM

Well your most likly not going to find an online wholesaler of life snails that is willing to ship to you becuase current federal law requires expensive permits to ship snails across boarders. This could be why you have not found any. There are three options however.

1.) Exoterra do make a canned snail meat. Most caiman lizards do like these and right now petsmart online has them going for $2 a can, which isn't badly priced at all.

2.) Look for canned escargo that is not already in a garlic butter sause or tomatoe paste. The best kind are the ones that say ready to cook... meaning they are canned fresh and not in anything. Here's what i found doing a quick google search: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000TI2MF4/ref=asc_df_B000TI2MF41096663?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=shopzilla_mp_1016-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000TI2MF4&linkCode=asm
Not to bad of a price for about 95 snails.

3.) Last option is to find a locally owned petstore, not a petco or petsmart becuase they might not work with you on this, and ask if they can special order a large quainity of apple snails. I use to do the fish ordering at a small petshop and would do this with ghost shrimp, goldfish and other feeder type fish all the time. They most likly have a wholesaler that they buy from that is in state and local(ish) so they don't have to worry about interstate shipping issues.

redlizard5 May 06, 2010 11:57 AM

Go to the pet store purchase a ten gallon tank,some live plants and about 8-10 snails. If you ask anyone who has snails in their tanks. Once they start to breed , They will continue to do so. Good luck and happy crunching for the lizard

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