Any of you Brits raise Giant African Snails?

[Oblio13]

I've been seeing them in the West Indies, where they were accidentally introduced a few years ago, and have multiplied at a remarkable rate.

I ate some of them in East Africa many years ago. They were delicious. Think escargot STEAKS. When I mention that, though, I get looks of disgust. They don't realize the blessing-in-disguise they've received.

I did a little Googling, and found that they are popular pets in the UK, with folks doing all kinds of creative things to dispose of excess eggs - crushing, freezing, burning. Why not let them hatch and fatten them up for a few months?

 

[JonathanD]

We had a couple for the kids. They reproduce at a scary rate. They would take a while to reach snail-steak size though.

 

[Oblio13]

Seem like they'd be the perfect livestock for me - they don't kick, bite or gore, and they run off very slowly.

 

[JonathanD]

..... and they run off very slowly.

You'd be surprised mate.

 

[PhotoGirl]

Used to sort of have some they grew pretty big though not huge, and once some did not wake up after winter the others then grew larger. Also saw one at london zoo once and my photo was stolen off my flickr for some website on them, was kind of flattered.

 

[phaserrifle]

had a chance to a few years back. one of my old teachers had a couple in his classroom (in a tank, not just loose) and they mulitplied, so he offered the young snails to any kid that wanted to give them a home.
but my parents wouldn't let me at the time.

I wonder what a group of new-born snails is called? a litter (like cats)? a squelch?

 

[JonathanD]

I wonder what a group of new-born snails is called? a litter (like cats)? a squelch?

In the case of Giant Africans, it's a........ LOT!

 

[PhotoGirl]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/francescawise/4721511291/

 

[Mesquite]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/francescawise/4721511291/

That's one big snail :yikes:

 

[treefrog]

Are they edible ?

 

[PhotoGirl]

isn't it just. It felt weird on my hand.

 

[Ratbag]

My friends have a breeding pair that recently laid 300 eggs. That would have been a lot of snails if the numbers hadn't been controlled.

Rat

 

[Andy BB]

Back in the early 80s, I was out in Port Elizabeth after a few weeks working in Paris. First meal, I ordered a half-dozen snails as a starter, having got quite fond of them in Paris. Couldn't understand the strange looks from the waiter. And then they arrived - half a pound of meat in each one............

 

[Tom1980]

They do look very tasty!

 

[vildor]

They're really good as internet speeds are concerned...

A little technical, but here it goes: http://improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume11/v11i4/sluggish-data-11-4.pdf


And they're lovelly pets as well =)


Food remark:
In Portugal we eat a lot of snails. European ones. Much smaller, but really tasty (a nacional treat, really). Stewed\boiled with lots of oregano and garlic.
Not too nutritious, but a nice treat =)

 

[bmartin1uk]

Ive had giant water snails before, but i couldnt control the population - i bought one and the next time i looked i had 36! Didnt realise they're hermaphrodites....had to get rid of them sadly.....didnt try eating them though